Author: Nick Spencer
Publisher: Cliff College Publishing
Publication Date: March 2005
ISBN: 1898362343
Format: Paperback, 192 pages

Summary:

This book reports on research into the varied beliefs and understandings of people who have no committed or formalised faith - revealing in detail people's belief, unbelief and longings in a way not known before.

Details:

There can be no doubt the United Kingdom is in the midst of a spiritual revolution. An increasing number of people are seeking spiritual fulfilment and meaning through a diverse range of practices but people are seldom turning to the church.

Challenged by recent research into the spirituality of people outside the church, Revd Yvonne Richmond, in partnership with Nick Spencer, explored the varied beliefs and worldviews of a representative sample of people within the Coventry Diocese, who had no committed of formal faith. This research, Beyond the Fringe, reveals in detail people's beliefs, doubts and longings in a way not known before. It shows how they wrestle with the big questions of life: destiny, purpose, the universe, God, the spiritual realm and suffering; and where they are in their spiritual search. Knowing what people believe is an essential pre-requisite for faith sharing. This book provides vital new insight and points to the need for relevant methods of engagement.

Beyond the Fringe was spearheaded by Revd Yvonne Richmond, then Anglican Assistant Minister at St John's Church, Kenilworth and now Chaplain for Evangelism at Coventry Diocese in the summer of 2003.

Nick Spencer worked as consultant and analyst for Beyond the Fringe, and wrote the final research report. He has a background in quantitative and qualitative market research, and is currently Research Director at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and researcher and writer on social trends and public policy for the Jubilee Centre. He writes for a number of Christian publications, and is the author of several books, including Beyond Belief? - Barriers and Bridges to Faith Today (LICC 2003) and Parochial Vision - The Future of the English Parish (Paternoster, 2004).