Bøker i Lincoln Studies in Religion & Society S.-serien

How do churches and other religious organizations attempt to order themselves in a secular age? Is a theocracy possible within a democracy? To what extent should churches borrow ''management-speak'' and techniques from business? This book explores the key issues, and critiques some of the main models of management that have recently been imported into churches. Anyone interested in what the 21st century holds for the structure of Christian churches will find this book instructive and thought-provoking.

Christianity and cultural aspirations are inevitably in tension: the combination invites a suspicion that temporal pursuits have slackened a quest for divine approbation. This text explores this tension in the context of modern Britain and America, in 15 original essays.

David Martin is a world-renowned sociologist, and one of the most prominent sociologists of religion ever to have emerged from the British Isles. Noted for his work on secularization, Pentecostalism, the Church of England and religious trends in general, his work has influenced the entire shape of a discipline that is now firmly established in many universities. This volume celebrates his 70th birthday, and his substantial and varied contributions to the sociology of religion stretching over a 50 year period. Andrew Walker and Martyn Percy have collated and edited a collection of essays-all freshly commissioned-that evaluate Martin''s work. Contributors include Bryan Wilson, Steve Bruce, Grace Davie, Graham Howes, Richard Fenn, Karel Dobbelaere, Christie Davies, Robin Gill, Bernice Martin and Kieran Flanagan. This timely and appreciative volume is essential reading for all who want to understand the shape of the discipline of the sociology of religion.