Description
Book SynopsisThe growth of the megachurch (generally defined as a regular attendance of over 2,000 people) is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional religious trends of recent times, certainly within the Christian sphere. Spreading from the USA, megachurches have now become common globally - reaching different national and cultural contexts. The edited volume Handbook of Megachurches offers a comprehensive account of the subject from various academic perspectives: sociology, religious studies, religious history and religious studies among them. Topics covered include: the historical developments and growth, typologies, theology, popular culture, revivalism, social engagement, and the manifestation of megachurches in such countries as Canada, Russia, India and Africa.
Table of ContentsForeword David G. Bromley Notes on Contributors Introduction: The Megachurch Phenomenon Stephen Hunt Part 1: Megachurches in Perspective 1 Seeking Souls, Selling Salvation: A History of the Modern Megachurch Charity Rakestraw 2 The Growth of the Megachurch David E. Eagle 3 Toward a Typology of the Megachurch J. Gordon Melton 4 Megachurches and Popular Culture: On Enclaving and Encroaching Simon Coleman and Saliha Chattoo 5 “Your Church Can Grow!” – A Contextual Theological Critique of Megachurches Martyn Percy Part 2: Dynamics and Trajectories 6 Megachurches in the Religious Marketplace Marc von der Ruhr 7 Megachurches as Total Environments James K. Wellman Jr., Katie E. Corcoran and Kate J. Stockly 8 Megachurches as Educational Institutions Mark J. Cartledge 9 Horse and Carriage? Megachurches and Revivalism Stephen Hunt 10 ‘The Evangelisation of the Nation, the Revitalisation of the Church and the Transformation of Society’: Megachurches and Social Engagement Andrew Davies Part 3: Global Contexts 11 Megachurches and ‘Reverse Mission’ Richard Burgess 12 Megachurches in Canada Michael Wilkinson and Peter Schuurman 13 Megachurches in Russia and Other parts of the former Soviet Union Torsten Löfstedt 14 Global, ‘Glocal’ and Local Dynamics in Calvary Temple: India’s Fastest Growing Megachurch Jonathan D. James 15 Sacred Surplus and Pentecostal Too-Muchness: The Salvation Economy of African Mega-Churches Asonzeh Ukah Index
