The Church of England in the First Decade of the 21st Century
Description
This book analyzes two large surveys of clergy and lay people in the Church of England taken in 2001 and 2013. The period between the two surveys was one of turbulence and change, and the surveys offer a unique insight into how such change affected grassroots opinion on topics such as marriage, women's ordination, sexual orientation, and the leadership of the Church. Andrew Village analyzes each topic to show how opinion varied by sex, age, education, location, ordination, and church tradition. Shifts that occurred in the period between the two surveys are then examined, and the results paint a detailed picture of how beliefs and attitudes vary across the Church and have evolved over time. This work uncovers some unforeseen but important trends that will shape the trajectory of the Church in the years ahead.
Reviews / Votes
"Village's exploration of the main 'tribes' that make up the modern Church of England is essential reading for any who want to understand that challenges and opportunities that face the Church in this present generation." (David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, UK)
"Societies change-they always have and always will. Should churches follow suit? There are no easy answers to this question, but the careful sifting of data discussed in this book helps us to understand better the issues at stake and how different groups of people react to them. I recommend it warmly." (Grace Davie, University of Exeter, UK)
"What do practicing Anglicans think about the key issues of church life? Have those views changed in recent years? The answers are by turns fascinating, mundane, heartening, and maddening, just like the Church itself. This book is worth reading for the commentary alone. Andrew Village is unfailingly clear, informative, and thoughtful." (David Voas, University College London, UK)
"The period framed by these two Church Times surveys has seen tremendous change within the Church of England. During these 12 years, the Church has seen three Archbishops of Canterbury, the consecration of the first women bishop, and challenging debates over same sex relationships. Professor Villages' analysis of the data, presented in an approachable and engaging way, provides a fascinating insight into the changing nature of the modern Anglican Church of England." (Mandy Robbins, Wrexham Glyndwr University, UK)
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Person
Andrew Village is Professor of Practical and Empirical Theology at York St John University. His previous books include The Bible and Lay People (2007), Preaching with All Souls (2008), and Encountering the Bible (2016).
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