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OxCEPT – The Oxford Centre for Ecclesiology and Practical Theology

OxCEPT is a research centre based at Ripon College Cuddesdon. It was founded in May 2006 by the Principal, Martyn Percy as a research-led and consultancy body to work with the church, developing ecclesiology and practical theology that enables the church to develop its polity and praxis for mission and ministry. The Centre initially worked though appointing Research Fellows who were funded by external grants. Initial funded research projects included a detailed ethnographic survey of a midlands diocese in the Church of England, exploring the dynamics of mission and ministry; and a fully-funded evaluation of the ‘Fresh Expressions’ movement.

The Centre’s first full-time Director was Dr Helen Cameron, appointed in 2007. The post was generously funded by a supporter and benefactor, who shared the vision of the Centre. Dr Cameron subsequently shaped the Centre as a focussed and dedicated research and consultancy body that sought to ‘think with the church’. The Centre now has a vision for developing the life and mission of the church by attending to God’s work in the world in order to develop faithful and reflective practice. People connect with the Centre to collaborate and engage in strategic thinking, to develop resources, to do research – all with the aim of transforming practice.

Dr Cameron was succeeded as Director by the Rt. Revd. Professor Stephen Pickard (interim Director, 2011). The current Director is the renowned missiologist, Dr Cathy Ross, originally from New Zealand. The Patrons of OxCEPT are The Rt. Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford and Dr Paula Gooder.

Since its foundation in 2006, OxCEPT has generated over half a million pounds (GB) for research-led and consultancy-based initiatives with the churches, making it one of the most successful and high-profile bodies of its kind in theological education in the UK. OxCEPT’s approach is through praxis-based research, offering consultancy and producing publications. It helps people to network by bringing together parishes, dioceses, mission agencies and other faith based organisations. It is intentionally ecumenical. The work is praxis-orientated as well as independent and constructively critical. In addition to the specific research at the local and national level, OxCEPT is thoroughly embedded in the wider research culture of Ripon College Cuddesdon, where there is a particular expertise in mission, ecclesiology, ecumenism, Anglicanism, and Biblical hermeneutics.

Notable work undertaken by OxCEPT has included several research projects, including the report on Fresh Expressions commissioned by the Church Urban Fund which particularly focused on emerging forms of church in deprived communities. ARCS (Action Research in Church and Society) was jointly pioneered by OxCEPT and Heythrop College (university of London), one outcome of which was the ‘Living Church in the Global City’ report which investigated the mission outreach of the church and church-related groups. ‘Sustaining Leaders in Mission and Change’ was a significant report into the ministry and resourcing of Archdeacons in the Church of England. There has also been significant research into the spirituality of older people. OxCEPT also has a specialist interest in researching and resourcing chaplaincy practice, in all its manifestations, as well as highlighting its role in the church today. It also has a specialist interest in world Christianity and its significance for the church today.

There are several strands to OxCEPT’s work besides the research that serves both the contemporary church and the academic sphere. It also aims to foster a vibrant learning and research community among the students at Ripon College Cuddesdon during their time in training and beyond.

Consultancy work is also undertaken for churches, denominations, dioceses and mission agencies. This is usually a process by which a range of experts and some skilled researchers assist an individual, group or organisation to analyse and reflect upon their work. OxCEPT provides consultancy services and support to enable the church to reflect on practice.

OxCEPT also helps with the professional development and continuing ministerial development of clergy, by fostering research capacity through offering sabbaticals, seminars and educational events. OxCEPT hosts regular public seminars at Ripon College Cuddesdon on issues of interest to students in training and the wider church. Theological Reflection (TR) is at the core of all OxCEPT’s research methods. This comprises a range of methods for investigating and supporting groups as they articulate their espoused theology, and compare it with their operant theology. This is currently being developed under the name of Theological Action Research (TAR). Further information and reports and forthcoming events can be viewed on the OxCEPT website: http://www.rcc.ac.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=research.index

Staff:

Director, Dr Cathy Ross: Cathy comes from Aotearoa/NZ. She has previously worked in Rwanda, Congo and Uganda with NZCMS. Her research interests are in the areas of contextual theologies, World Christianity, feminist theologies and hospitality. She is also the General Secretary of the International Association for Mission Studies and editor of Anvil journal.

Research and Development Officer, Revd Victoria Slater: Victoria has had an extensive career in Healthcare Chaplaincy specialising latterly in End of Life care. Her particular interest and experience is in education and training in Spiritual Care. She has trained in Coaching and Counselling, has a Masters degree in Christian Spirituality and has undertaken consultancy relating to the provision of Spiritual Care in hospice. One of her main interests is in contemporary expressions of spirituality and in understanding how chaplaincy and spiritual care may be best provided in secular contexts. She is currently engaged in a research project looking at the development and practice of chaplaincy in community contexts and is undertaking doctoral studies in this area of ministry.

Principal Consultant, Revd David Dadswell: David is director of a commercial management consultancy. He has been providing consultancy and training in organisational behaviour to industrial commercial, voluntary and public sector organisations internationally for fifteen years. Before that he worked in fulltime ministry in parishes and higher education in Liverpool and London. He is a member of the tutorial team on the MA in Consultancy for Mission and Ministry at York St John University and associate priest in the New Windsor Team Ministry in Berkshire.

OxCEPT has an adjunct staff of consultants and visiting scholars with varied research interests. See: http://www.rcc.ac.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=research.content&cmid=27

Publications by OxCEPT Staff and Consultants

Theological Reflection for Human Flourishing: Blurred Encounters between Church and World Helen Cameron, John Reader, Victoria Slater with Chris Rowland         SCM-Press 2012

Mission in Context: Explorations Inspired by J Kirk Edited by John Corrie and Cathy Ross         Ashgate 2012

Christianity and the New Social Order: A Manifesto for a fairer future John Atherton, Chris Baker & John Reader         SPCK 2011

Resourcing Mission: Practical Theology for Changing Churches Helen Cameron         SCM-Press 2009

Mission in the 21st Century: Exploring the Five Marks of Global Mission Edited by Andrew Walls and Cathy Ross         DLT 2008

Talking about God in Practice: Theological Action Research and Practical Theology Helen Cameron, Deborah Bhatti, Catherine Duce, James Sweeney & Clare Watkins         SCM-Press 2010 Studying Local Churches: A Handbook Edited by Helen Cameron, Douglas Davies, Philip Richter & Frances Ward         SCM-Press 2005

Consultancy

OxCEPT calls on a network of skilled, experienced associate consultants as well as its own staff to offer collaborative consultancy interventions, support and research. The Centre regularly responds to tenders for consultancy projects with church and church-related organisations and in the faith-based voluntary sector. We can also advise organisations in other sectors seeking positive engagement with faith communities.

Current and Recent Research:

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.

Sustaining Leaders in Mission and Change: The continuing Ministerial Development of Archdeacons in the Church of England Revd David Dadswell