The Centre for Church and Culture is a research centre for both Christian ministry and academic leaders. Its mission is to provide an interactive educational environment to enable pastors and other Christian leaders to navigate cultural issues that pose challenges to the mission of the church.
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Events
Upcoming Events
Christian Formation amid Emerging Technologies Symposium
May 8, 2025Past Events
The Story of Progress: Technological Visions and Illusions Webinar
March 27, 2025During this session, Dr. Derek C. Schuurman, Professor of Computer Science at Calvin University, explored technological progress and the future as informed by the Biblical story.
Imaging God and Emerging Technologies: Getting the Foundation Right Webinar
February 27, 2025During this session, McMaster Divinity College’s faculty, Dr. John Hilber, Dr. Lee Beach, and Dr. Clement Wen, reflected on the idea that technology and discipleship begin with the foundational belief that human beings are made in the image of God. Yet, many Christians still struggle to define exactly what constitutes the image of God.
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Church & Culture Graduate Certificate
This 6-course certificate is designed to help you meet your ministry goals. Courses are directly applicable and provide training in a the area of Church and Culture. These specialized graduate certificates are designed for ministry practitioners and lay people alike, regardless of previous theological education. Remote learning options, including livestream and asynchronous learning, are available.
Choose from courses like:
Critical Events in Christian History
Taught by Dr. Gord HeathPreaching in the 21st Century
Taught by Dr. Michael KnowlesGender in Ministry
Taught by Dr. Cynthia WestfallCritical Understandings in Ministry
Taught by Dr. Lee BeachTheology of Suffering
Taught by Dr. Phil ZyllaTheology of Worship
Taught by Dr. Wendy PorterPreaching in the Post-Christian Era
Taught by Dr. Michael KnowlesSpirituality of Exile
Taught by Dr. Lee BeachFor more information, visit our Graduate Certificate program page or contact our Admissions Team at divadmit@mcmaster.ca or 905.525.9140 x24402.
- Centre Directors
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Post-Christendom Studies Journal
The McMaster Divinity College Centre for Post-Christendom Studies (PCS) is a research center for both Christian ministry and academic leaders. Its mission is to chart the course forward for post-Christendom churches. To this end, it describes and analyzes post-Christendom contexts and looks for solutions to the challenges they pose. Articles published in Post-Christendom Studies (PCS) will advance the Centre’s mission.
Post-Christendom Studies publishes research on the nature of Christian identity and mission in the contexts of post-Christendom. Post-Christendom refers to places, both now and in the past, where Christianity was once a significant cultural presence, though not necessarily the dominant religion. Sometimes “Christendom” refers to the official link between church and state. The term “post-Christendom” is often associated with the rise of secularization, religious pluralism, and multiculturalism in western countries over the past sixty years. Our use of the term is broader than that however. Egypt for example can be considered a post-Christendom context. It was once a leading center of Christianity. “Christendom” moreover does not necessarily mean official public and dominant religion. For example, under Saddam Hussein, Christianity was probably a minority religion, but, for the most part, Christians were left alone. After America deposed Saddam, Christians began to flee because they became a persecuted minority. In that sense, post-Saddam Iraq is an experience of post-Christendom — it is a shift from a cultural context in which Christians have more or less freedom to exercise their faith to one where they are persecuted and/or marginalized for doing so.
Post-Christendom Studies is a peer-reviewed journal.
