POINTERS September 2023

Description

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF POINTERS:

Contemporary Issues in the Sociology of Religion

The International Society for the Sociology of Religion (ISSR) met in Taipei between 4th and 7th July 2023. Apart from four major plenary addresses, approximately 160 papers were delivered by academics from around the world. The topics they covered provide some indications of the sorts of issues in the sociology of religion that concern academics today, and, indirectly, shed some light on issues for churches and other religious organisations.

Introducing the new editor of the Journal of Contemporary Ministry

After a lengthy search, the JCMin will shortly have a new editor, Tim Mullen. In a recent interview with CRA Research Coordinator, Stephen Reid, Tim shares a little bit about himself, his ministry involvement, his current role and his vision for the journal.

Religion Flourishing in Taiwan

In July 2023, the International Society for the Sociology of Religion (ISSR) held its bi-annual conference in Taiwan. The Christian Research Association paid my fares to enable me to attend. It was a good chance to learn a little about religious faith in Taiwan, as well as to get a feel of the contemporary discussions occurring in the sociology of religion. Several academics from Sinica University in Taipei addressed the conference about religion in Taiwan.

Chair’s Annual Report

The last twelve months has seen the CRA improve on nearly all fronts with the report below highlighting a number of important changes, events, and initiatives.

Treasurer’s Annual Report

The overall financial result of the past year has been good. The CRA has made a small surplus. The biggest contribution has been from our Senior Members followed by our Associate Members. We are most grateful for their loyalty. On the other side of the ledger, the amount paid to CRA staff, Stephen Reid and Ashley Manly, has been much lower than budgeted. The major reason for this being that the CRA has had fewer research contracts over the past year.

Volunteering after the Pandemic: Some insights from the UK

The health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt across different sectors of society long after the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Australia in early 2020. One only needs to visit an aged care home or a health service to be reminded that COVID-19 is still present, and precautions need to be taken to protect those most vulnerable. Aside from the health impacts, COVID-19 continues to impact on many other aspects of society, such as changes in the way and places we work, or how or if we travel, or the ways in which we connect with our friends and family. Theos, one of the UK’s leading research think tanks, has recently published a report about volunteering in a post-COVID world.