Ecclesial Identifi cation beyond Late Modern Individualism? Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies Edited by Andrew Davies William Kay Editorial Board Kimberley Alexander, Pentecostal Th eological Seminary Allan Anderson, University of Birmingham Mark Cartledge, University of Birmingham Jacqueline Grey, Alphacrucis College, Sydney Byron D Klaus, Assemblies of God Th eological Seminary, Springfi eld, MO Wonsuk Ma, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies Jean-Daniel Plüss, European Pentecostal/Charismatic Research Association Cecil M Robeck, Jr, Fuller Th eological Seminary Calvin Smith, King’s Evangelical Divinity School VOLUME 10 Th e titles published in this series are listed at brill.nl/gpcs Ecclesial Identifi cation beyond Late Modern Individualism? A Case Study of Life Strategies in Growing Late Modern Churches By Karl Inge Tangen LEIDEN • BOSTON 2012 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Tangen, Karl Inge. Ecclesial identifi cation beyond late modern individualism? : a case study of life strategies in growing late modern churches / by Karl Inge Tangen. p. cm. -- (Global Pentecostal and charismatic studies, ISSN 1876-2247 ; v. 10) Revision of the author’s thesis (doctoral)--Norwegian School of Th eology, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 978-90-04-20617-5 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Church growth--Europe--Case studies. 2. Church growth--Pentecostal churches--Case studies. 3. Hillsong Church London (London, England) 4. Pentecostal churches--Denmark--Copenhagen--Case studies. 5. Identifi cation (Religion)--Case studies. I. Title. BV652.25.T36 2012 289.9’409421--dc23 2011050331 ISSN 1876-2247 ISBN 978 90 04 20617 5 (hardback) ISBN 978 90 04 18480 0 (e-book) Copyright 2012 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, Th e Netherlands. Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Global Oriental, Hotei Publishing, IDC Publishers, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers and VSP. 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CONTENTS Abbreviations ..............................................................................................xiii List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................... xv Preface .........................................................................................................xvii Acknowledgements .................................................................................... xix 1. Introducing the Quest: Why and How to Read Th is Study ..............1 Why Th is Study? – a Prologue ..............................................................1 Research Questions and Research Strategy ........................................ 2 Th e Organisation of the Study – and How to Read It ....................... 4 2. Th eory: Consulting the Wise ................................................................7 Th e Function and Use of Th eory in Th is Study ..................................7 Pentecostal and Free Church Perspectives – the First Horizon .......7 Th e Late Modern Person – Psychological and Sociological Views .................................................................................................10 Robert Bellah’s Typology of Late Modern Languages .................10 Zygmunt Bauman on Consumerism and Ethics in Liquid Modernity ........................................................................15 Personal Agency and the Socio-Cultural Context – Margaret Archer ..........................................................................16 Dan P. McAdams’ Model of Personality: Traits, Concerns and Narratives ..............................................................................18 Sherwood Lingenfelter’s Typology of Social Games and Structures ..................................................................................... 19 Models of Transformational Leadership in Organisational Psychology .................................................................................... 21 Burns’ and Bass’ Models of Morally Transforming Leadership .................................................................................... 21 Congregational Studies ....................................................................... 24 Dean Kelley’s Hypothesis – ‘Strictness’ Makes Conservative Churches Grow ....................................................25 Sociological Studies of Late Modern Congregations ..................26 Th eologically Motivated Church Growth Research ....................27 Shane Clift on’s Study of the Australian Assemblies of God .......28 Academic Articles on the Hillsong Church ................................. 28 vi contents A Final Note on Terminology – A ‘Late Modern’ or ‘Post-Modern’ World? .................................................................29 Summary: Key Concepts .....................................................................30 3. Contexts – Churches, Cities and Nations ......................................... 35 Pinsekirken in Copenhagen ............................................................... 35 Denmark as Religious Context ...................................................... 35 Th e History of Pinsekirken .............................................................36 Historical Roots and Th eological Tradition .................................38 Leadership and Organisational Structure..................................... 38 Important Practices .........................................................................39 Th e Church’s ‘Commitment Script’ ............................................... 42 Th e Church as an Organic Community of Spirit-Filled Disciples........................................................................................ 46 Hillsong in London ..............................................................................51 Britain as Religious Context ...........................................................51 A Comparative Note on Religious Demography .........................52 Th e History of Hillsong .................................................................. 53 Th eological Tradition ...................................................................... 53 Organisational Structure ................................................................ 53 Important Practices .........................................................................55 Commitment Script: To be Empowered to Flourish within the Church .......................................................................58 Levels of Commitment to the Church .......................................... 62 Heroic Images and Family Metaphors ..........................................65 Comparative Summary ....................................................................... 68 4. Persons – Stories From Copenhagen .................................................69 Introduction to the Chapter ............................................................... 69 Th e Story of Peter .................................................................................70 Peter’s Story – Analysis ........................................................................77 Identifi cation Th emes – and Reasons ........................................... 77 New Commitments and Virtues ....................................................79 Vocabulary, Images, and Horizon Narratives .............................. 81 Modes of Identifi cation and Participation.................................... 84 Th e Process of Identifi cation and Transformation ......................86 Personal Integration and Life Plot: Th e Spirit Empowered Explorer ..................................................................88 Th e Story of Ruth ................................................................................. 90 Ruth’s Story – Analysis ........................................................................ 97 contents vii Identifi cation Th emes – and Reasons ........................................... 97 New Commitments ......................................................................... 98 Vocabulary, Images, and Horizon Narratives .............................. 99 Modes of Identifi cation and Participation.................................. 103 Process of Identifi cation and Participation ................................104 Personal Integration and Life Plot: A Homecoming in Process ....................................................................................105 Th e Story of Pastor Marcus ...............................................................107 Marcus’ Story – Analysis ...................................................................113 Identifi cation Th emes – and Reasons