ABSTRACT This study explores the relationship between Congregational Studies and Pentecostal ecclesiology. It does so by considering three different Congregational Studies from the perspectives of ordinary, public and digital theology. The first is a reflection on the study of an Assemblies of God congregation in Birmingham. The second is a reflection on the study of a Redeemed Christian Church of God congregation in Brent Cross, London. The third is a reflection on the study of an online congregation, gathered by the healing evangelist, Benny Hinn during the COVID-19 lockdown. A theological and methodological reflection discusses the contributions that these cases make to Congregational Studies, as well as to ordinary, public and digital approaches to Pentecostal ecclesiology. Key themes that emerge include doxology, therapeutic soteriology, witness through prayer and social engagement, and a digital extension to the worshipping space that facilitates transitory, trans-denominational and transnational participation.

ABSTRACT Scholars in the United Stated have been studying congregations for more than a century, but only in the last forty years has there been something like a ‘field’ of Congregational Studies. This article traces U.S. trends in this field over the last twenty years. Those trends have been driven in large part by two important resources – foundation funding and new sources of data, especially the National Congregations Study. The field has also been shaped by significant expansions in the diversity of researchers and diversity of foci. Despite the reality of a growing number of nonaffiliated people in the population, the number of congregations is holding steady. Using a database of almost 500 books and journal articles, this analysis identifies the most consistent subjects of study, as well as significant gaps. It shows that attention to clergy authority and influence outpaced either attention to clergy abuse or to the agency of lay people. Attention to congregational actions in the world – social service, political mobilisation, and the like – outpaced attention to the internal processes of decision-making and religious nurture. Immigrant congregations and multiethnic congregations were often studied, and issues of gender and LGBTQ inclusion were common, but neither social class differences nor disability has been thoroughly explored. It is also suggested that the field may benefit from greater future collaboration between social scientists and practical theologians.

ABSTRACT This study hopes to widen the global perspective on Christianity by privileging the voices and examining the lived religion of select Filipino Christian migrant workers (FCMWs) in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. By listening to and amplifying the voices of FCMWs, their perspectives and insights on Missio Dei and evangelisation are brought from the margins to the forefront. The study employed qualitative research. The study reveals that the select FCMWs exemplify diverse expressions of faith and mission based on their belief in God, goals in life, role of faith in attaining life aspirations, experiences of God’s presence, and living out one’s faith. The select FCMWs demonstrate the laity's role as key agents in the Christian mission in the age of migration.

ABSTRACT In the wake of various safeguarding reports into leader-misconduct, not least the Scolding Report into the scandal of Soul Survivor, charismatic church leaders must wrestle with what it now means to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. Part of this wrestling will mean interrogating whether, and how, some cherished Charismatic beliefs and practices may have become responsible for perpetuating abuse. This article examines seven key charismatic emphases from Charismatic Christianity [Collins 2023. Charismatic Christianity: Introducing Its Theology through the Gifts of the Spirit. Baker Academic] – expectancy, enchantment, encounter, expression, equality, empowerment and enjoyment – and highlights how these are gifts to the global church. It then draws on Winner’s [2019. The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin. Yale University Press] publication ‘The Dangers of Christian Practice’ to identify the ways in which these emphases can unhelpfully enable problematic practices which foster abuse. The article concludes by suggesting how these emphases might be renewed in ways which promote church and leader flourishing.