Current Research
Church Planting - OxCEPT
OxCEPT has been granted funding from the Church Commissioners to research church planting in the Church of England over the next 18 months. The research will conduct a number of in-depth studies in a wide range of contexts. The aim of this research is to evaluate effective strategies for growth, sustainability and self-government, contextual and creative approaches, the real possibility of transferabilty of methods, discipleship, and the impact on the local community and beyond. In summary, the extent to which lives are changed and communities transformed.
OxCEPT Chaplaincy Development Project - Revd Victoria Slater
This is research into how effective and sustainable chaplaincy services can be enabled in community contexts. The aim is to create a practical model for enabling chaplaincy that can be used in a variety of contexts with teams and churches
Lay Leadership in Rural Multi-Parish Benefices - Revd Dr John Reader
This research aims to develop more appropriate models for collaborative ministry in the rural context.
Previous Projects
Sustaining Leaders in Mission and Change: The continuing Ministerial Development of Archdeacons in the Church of England - Revd David Dadswell
For the full report, click here
Action Research in Church and Society:
The Director is a member of a team based at Heythrop College which is looking at the distinctive features of Romam Catholic parishes in London using action research methods. Approaches to evangelisation and renewal are a particular focus. For further information click here.
Fresh Expressions in marginalised communities:
The Church Urban Fund has commisioned OxCEPT to run an action learning programme that will examine the particular features of fresh expressions of church in the areas and with the communities that is targeted by their funding.
For a summary of the report, click here.
For the full report, click here.
Spiritual Care of Older People in Residential Homes:
This project, undertaken by Dr Louise Nelstrop, explores what constitutes good practice in the spiritual care of the elderly within care home settings. It includes a systematic literature review of both guidance and research literature.
Click here to download report.
Clergy in Context:
This project, undertaken by Dr Wendy Dackson, examined the changing patterns of ordained ministry that the Diocese of Derby has experienced in the last 15-20 years. It explored the shifts in clerical roles, tasks, expectations and self-perceptions of clergy as well as the changes in settings in which ordained ministry is exercised. Lay perceptions of these changes were also considered. A hard copy of the report is available at OxCEPT.
Fresh Expressions in England and Thailand:
This project, undertaken by Dr Louise Nelstrop, assessed the extent to which 'fresh expression' offer participants an incultured/incarnational theology. It asked whether 'fresh expressions' should be viewed as churches in their own right. It examined how factors such as ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic background impact on 'fresh expressions'. A hard copy of the report is available at OxCEPT.
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