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What gives this book significance as a resource is the multi-disciplinarian approach to studying local church. After an overview of why and how to study local church - the book looks at different perspectives through the eyes of anthropology; sociology; organizational studies and theology. The impact not only serves to stretch the reader to appreciate other angles of study with regards to local church, but also paves the way for further investigation through extensive further reading that is made available.
These strands of investigation follow through the perspectives that include Global and local context; The worship and Action of the Local church; The resources and people of the local church and power in the local church. The use of various case studies are well used, although I personally would have liked to have seen these case studies developed more to help the reader make more reflective connections between the discipline of research and the context of research.
What struck me was the amount of contributors, which while bringing a wealth of specialist experience and a great depth of understanding also in places had the effect of effecting the flow of reading. While the book is well edited and structured there are pockets of dryness in writing style that made it harder to read. Equally there are sections of the book that are very easy to digest. It may say more about me than the book! It did however lead me to think that perhaps in places assumptions were made that the reader might have a greater understanding of the individual disciplines or strands of research than was actually the case.
I read this book cover to cover, but what needs to be born in mind is that this book is a handbook. That is what it says it is and that is what it does! As a resource its strength lies in that a vigorous index allows for particular areas to be followed through as needed.
Highlights - good introduction to research techniques and approaches. An eclectic approach to understanding and studying local church that could either be embraced or used to illustrate short-comings or weaknesses within research. Good guidance with regards application and areas to be taken further whether you are a final year undergraduate, a Masters-level student, a student minister, a church leader or a policy maker
Lowlights - in places a bit stodgy to read, largely perhaps due to assumptions of the reader's knowledge base.
It is a handbook and as such is not really written to be read from cover to cover. You can read certain topics such as anthropology or sociology by turning to the relevent sections to give you a good overview of the discipline.
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