RT Article
T1 Hospitality, social identity, and baptism
JF Practical theology
VO 18
IS 3
SP 205
OP 215
A1 Sinclair, J. Greg
LA English
YR 2025
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1930398476
AB This paper examines one aspect of my ethnographic study of a congregation welcoming new members from a different ethnic and cultural group as part of a dissertation for a Doctor of Practical Theology degree. Social identity theory is a helpful guide for discussing the cohesion of two groups combining into one congregation. It is a helpful conversation partner in a theological discussion of the new identity in Christ that arises out of baptism and sacramental hospitality. This new identity helps to increase congregational unity and works against an us-versus- them dynamic. With many baptisms in the last three years, Willowdale Christian Reformed Church is a good context to study the process of sacramental hospitality and inclusion towards mutuality. It is important to groups that they both maintain their own cultural identity while forming a superordinate identity together as the family of Christ.
K1 Sacraments
K1 intercultural ministry
K1 Iranian diaspora
K1 Social Identity
K1 ethnograpy
K1 Hospitality
DO 10.1080/1756073X.2025.2457868