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Key research themes
1. How can congregational structures and small group dynamics be optimized to enhance missional effectiveness?
This research theme investigates the underutilization of small satellite groups within congregations, focusing on how their structure and integration with the broader church community affect the congregation’s ability to fulfill missional goals, particularly community transformation. It matters because many churches rely on dual structures (main worship and small groups) but show limited success in outreach and conversion, suggesting a need for practical theological and interdisciplinary insights to enhance missional impact.
Key finding: Identifies that congregations employing dual structures of main worship plus small satellite groups (cell or life groups) often fail to achieve missional effectiveness because these small groups tend to become inward-focused,... Read more
Key finding: Through empirical research of 45 diverse congregations involved in faith-based community organizing, it finds that congregations gain stronger internal relational health, leadership development, and external mission... Read more
Key finding: Elucidates that evangelical and Pentecostal congregations are vitally shaped by the way they socialize members through worship, education, and community activities, emphasizing discipling and spiritual formation within the... Read more
Key finding: Develops and applies a relationally focused instrument that assesses congregational health via members' feelings of belonging, being seen, involvement, and commitment. This empirical relational audit distinguishes between... Read more
Key finding: Documents a congregational discernment process that led a Christian congregation to become welcoming and affirming of LGBTQI+ persons in leadership and membership. This study shows how intentional, structured conversation and... Read more
2. What are the key factors and dimensions that leaders identify as defining a flourishing congregation across different Christian traditions?
This theme explores the diverse perspectives among Canadian church and denominational leaders regarding what constitutes a flourishing congregation, focusing on dimensions such as growth, internal community life, organizational structures, and outward engagement. Understanding these factors is critical for developing nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to measuring and fostering congregational vitality that resonate with different theological traditions.
Key finding: Through interviews and focus groups with over 100 Canadian leaders across Catholic, mainline, and conservative Protestant contexts, this study identifies three main domains defining flourishing congregations: organizational... Read more
Key finding: Reviews the development of congregational studies as a field, emphasizing the shift from extrinsic (community role) to intrinsic (internal congregation life) approaches. Highlights that flourishing is multifaceted, involving... Read more
Key finding: Using longitudinal data from over 10,000 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations, this study finds that increasing racial/ethnic diversity within congregations is associated with declining attendance, challenging... Read more
Key finding: Argues theoretically and empirically that the voice of the congregation is a critical but underappreciated factor in preaching and congregational life. Empirical data from the National Church Life Survey in the Dutch Reformed... Read more
Key finding: Via case studies and thematic essays on diverse American congregations, this work identifies repeated factors influencing flourishing: adaptive leadership, negotiation of tradition and innovation, engagement with wider... Read more
3. How have Consistorial Congregations managed ecclesiastical authority and episcopal governance historically, and what archival insights illuminate their role under pontificates such as Benedict XV?
This theme examines the historical functioning of the Consistorial Congregation, especially its role in selecting bishops and overseeing their pastoral governance, as revealed in newly accessed Vatican archival records. Understanding this institutional history is crucial for scholars of ecclesiology, church polity, and the exercise of authority within the Catholic Church during major papal administrations.
Key finding: Provides an overview of Consistorial Congregation activities including episcopal appointments, oversight of bishops' governance, and disciplinary issues, based on newly catalogued archival Positiones. Highlights increased... Read more
Key finding: Analyzes extensive archival groups of Positiones revealing the Consistorial Congregation’s wide responsibilities for episcopal selection, monitoring of pastoral conduct, and intervention in diocesan matters. The data... Read more
Key finding: Though focusing on congregational polity in Protestant Reformed tradition, this work systematically engages with historical ecclesiastical authority issues that intersect with Consistorial Congregation functions by... Read more