Megachurches and Social Engagement in London

Pentecostal, Charismatic and Evangelical churches are amongst the fastest growing in the UK and are increasingly active in terms of social engagement. Contemporary political and economic circumstances have also given rise to renewed interest in churches’ roles in meeting social needs. This calls for better understanding, not just of what churches are doing, but of why and how they are doing it.

The AHRC funded Megachurches and Social Engagement in London project brought together researchers from theology, sociology, anthropology and social policy to explore how five of London’s largest churches conceive of and put into practice their relationships with wider society. Focusing on these churches’ corporate activities, in-depth qualitative research has generated a rich body of evidence covering fields ranging from youth services, mental health and homelessness, to debt counselling, human trafficking, relationships and unemployment.

Geared towards an inter-disciplinary academic audience, the conference will highlight key empirical findings from this three year project and discuss their theoretical and policy implications. Those with an interest in research on faith and society from outside the higher education sector are welcome to attend.

An introductory keynote by Professor Grace Davie will set the backdrop for a series of three papers by the project team: Dr Andrew Davies, Dr Mark Cartledge, Dr Sophie Bremner, Dr Sarah Dunlop and Dr Heather Buckingham. Responses will be given by an expert panel including Dr Abby Day, Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, and Professor Sebastian Kim, and there will be opportunities for discussion throughout the day. 

Provisional programme:

10:00 - Arrivals, coffee, registration

10:30 - Welcome and introduction

10:50 - Keynote presentation from Professor Grace Davie

11:15 - Black Majority Megachurches in London: aspiring to engender change, Dr Sophie Bremner

11:45 - Q&A 

11:55 - Transforming Society… one person at a time, Dr Sarah Dunlop

12:25 - Q&A

12.35 - Lunch

13:20 - Alternative public theologies and their implications for social policy and practice, Professor Mark Cartledge and Dr Heather Buckingham

13:50 - Q&A

14:00 - Panel responses

15:00 - Plenary discussion

15:30 - Close and refreshments

Further information

The event is free and open to interested scholars. Lunch will be provided, so booking is essential.

For further information and booking please see the link below.

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