The past fifteen years have witnessed a growing engagement with disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods on the part of UK charismatic-evangelical churches. Yet this has received little attention within previous academic studies across a variety of disciplines (voluntary sector studies; the sociology of religion; Christian social ethics; and evangelical, charismatic and Pentecostal theology). In addressing these gaps, this study achieves two main purposes. Firstly, it enables greater understanding of charismatic-evangelical motivation and urban practice. Secondly, it reflects theologically on such motivation and practice, and articulates a distinctive practical charismatic-evangelical urban social ethic. To do this, the study drew on models of practical theology to integrate qualitative research with theological reflection. Given the under-researched nature of the subject area, an exploratory, inductive, and multi-method research approach was chosen. This combined an ethnographic study of a charismatic-evangelical urban church with focus groups in a further three charismatic-evangelical churches. Analysis of the qualitative data gathered led to the identification of six tensions that characterise contemporary charismatic-evangelical urban practice. An engagement with other bodies of literature then found that all six tensions have some resonance with the findings of previous research in voluntary sector studies and the sociology of religion. However, it also revealed that the experience of UK charismatic-evangelical urban churches challenges certain established understandings in these disciplines. The task of (more explicit) theological reflection involved a series of facilitated dialogues between charismatic-evangelical urban practice and theoretical approaches to Christian social ethics. These dialogues then led on to an attempt to construct a distinctive practical charismatic-evangelical urban social ethic. This is presented as a creative response to the tensions encountered in charismatic-evangelical urban practice that is both consistent with charismatic-evangelical convictions and open to insights from other traditions. The thesis makes two main contributions to academic knowledge. Firstly, it brings a greater understanding of charismatic-evangelical urban practice to the disciplines of voluntary sector studies and the sociology of religion. Secondly, it represents both a contribution and a challenge to established theoretical perspectives in Christian social ethics and evangelical theology. Contributing as it does to a variety of academic disciplines, as well as enhancing institutional and professional knowledge, this is a not a prepositional thesis, but a foundational one. As such, it opens up a new field of enquiry and sets out theoretical conceptions intended to provoke further scholarly enquiry and reflective practice.

The thesis deals with the life and work of the Prague Franciscan priest Jan Evangelista Urban. Within his writings it looks for the impulses that could help contemporary priests to live their own priesthood authentically. The first chapter introduces Urban's personality, his selected contemporaries and the historical context. The second chapter looks for key topics in relation to priestly life in Urban's speeches and other extant sources. The third chapter is focused on the way how to live the priestly life in everyday conditions; it also presents Urban's idea of a real and authentic disciple of God. The second and the third chapter contain a personal reflection and synthesis that tries to catch the principal message of Urban's thought.

The study explores the response of the Anglican diocese of Bujumbura to the challenge of urbanization, especially in the area of urban poverty. The introductory Chapter provides the framework within which the study will be conducted. It also includes a literature review, which is devoted to urban poverty showing how it could be addressed. In Chapter 2, the study analyses the context of urbanization in Burundi, particularly in the Bujumbura municipality, where urban poverty is reported to be high. It then highlights the Church’s missionary calling when it comes to the challenges of urbanization. Chapter 3 reports the findings of interviews and focus groups conducted with members of the nine Anglican parishes serving the Bujumbura residents. These findings are interpreted in Chapter 4 through the lens of the praxis cycle. Chapter 5 provides an effective model in the context of urban poverty. The study explored through the reasons behind urban poverty and proposes effective solutions to it. It aims at sensitizing the Church to be concerned about urban ministry and suggests an efficient model for eradicating poverty and bringing about a transformed community to be enjoyed by all the residents. This model will inspire both the Anglican Church, the other denominations, the faith-based organisations and whoever strives to serve urban residents. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology-with specialisation in Urban Ministry)

This study uses a praxis cycle approach to evaluate the work of the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura in the community of Bwiza, a marginalised urban community in Bujumbura. In Chapter 2 it analyses the context of urbanisation in Burundi, with special reference to Bujumbura as capital. It then examines the work of the Diocese of Bujumbura in that urban setting in Chapter 3, against the background of Burundi’s religious composition and the history of the Anglican Church in Burundi as a whole. Chapter 4, gives a review of publications devoted to urban mission and theology. Special attention is given to liberation theology and the particular way it addresses poverty. Chapter 5 reports the findings of interviews and focus groups conducted with members of various churches in the community of Bwiza. In Chapter 6 these findings are interpreted missiologically, and the final chapter (7) suggests some issues for further research. The study explores the causes of poverty in Bwiza and suggests practical contributions that can bring about positive change. The main concern of the study is to bring awareness to the churches about the urgent need for urban ministry. It also explores possible solutions to urban poverty. The other concern of this study is to provide a basis for an urban mission strategy for the Anglican Church, which could assist other churches and all faith based organisations serving in urban settings. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology, with specialisation in Urban Ministry)

This study uses a praxis cycle approach to evaluate the work of the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura in the community of Bwiza, a marginalised urban community in Bujumbura. In Chapter 2 it analyses the context of urbanisation in Burundi, with special reference to Bujumbura as capital. It then examines the work of the Diocese of Bujumbura in that urban setting in Chapter 3, against the background of Burundi’s religious composition and the history of the Anglican Church in Burundi as a whole. Chapter 4, gives a review of publications devoted to urban mission and theology. Special attention is given to liberation theology and the particular way it addresses poverty. Chapter 5 reports the findings of interviews and focus groups conducted with members of various churches in the community of Bwiza. In Chapter 6 these findings are interpreted missiologically, and the final chapter (7) suggests some issues for further research. The study explores the causes of poverty in Bwiza and suggests practical contributions that can bring about positive change. The main concern of the study is to bring awareness to the churches about the urgent need for urban ministry. It also explores possible solutions to urban poverty. The other concern of this study is to provide a basis for an urban mission strategy for the Anglican Church, which could assist other churches and all faith based organisations serving in urban settings. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology, with specialisation in Urban Ministry)