Applying the eventization of faith concept: Churches’ engagement in strategic planning for UK City of Culture Bradford 2025.

TY - CONF

T1 - Applying the eventization of faith concept

T2 - Churches’ engagement in strategic planning for UK City of Culture Bradford 2025.

AU - Dowson, Ruth

AU - Mart, Gavin

PY - 2024/8/1

Y1 - 2024/8/1

N2 - This paper explores the application of the ‘Eventization of Faith’ concept within the context of the UK City of Culture 2025, specifically focusing on how churches in Bradford, West Yorkshire, can strategically engage with this cultural initiative. The Eventization of Faith, a model developed by Dowson (2024a), integrates event management principles with theological considerations to help faith communities effectively utilise their spaces and resources for both religious and secular events. The research investigates how churches in the Bradford Episcopal Area of the Leeds Diocese can contribute to the UK City of Culture programme by leveraging their unique position as community hubs. It also examines the potential of churches as multi-purpose event venues, a trend termed ‘venuefication’, and the challenges and opportunities this presents. The paper outlines the strategic planning processes and frameworks, including the Suitability, Feasibility, and Acceptability (SFA) model, that churches can adopt to align their activities with the broader cultural goals of Bradford 2025. Through a workshop involving 60 churches, the study highlights early efforts to mobilise church communities, address logistical and theological challenges, and ensure inclusive, high-quality event participation. The findings suggest that while churches face significant hurdles, including resource constraints and varying theological perspectives, they also hold substantial potential to enrich the cultural landscape of Bradford 2025 through intentional, faith-based eventization.

AB - This paper explores the application of the ‘Eventization of Faith’ concept within the context of the UK City of Culture 2025, specifically focusing on how churches in Bradford, West Yorkshire, can strategically engage with this cultural initiative. The Eventization of Faith, a model developed by Dowson (2024a), integrates event management principles with theological considerations to help faith communities effectively utilise their spaces and resources for both religious and secular events. The research investigates how churches in the Bradford Episcopal Area of the Leeds Diocese can contribute to the UK City of Culture programme by leveraging their unique position as community hubs. It also examines the potential of churches as multi-purpose event venues, a trend termed ‘venuefication’, and the challenges and opportunities this presents. The paper outlines the strategic planning processes and frameworks, including the Suitability, Feasibility, and Acceptability (SFA) model, that churches can adopt to align their activities with the broader cultural goals of Bradford 2025. Through a workshop involving 60 churches, the study highlights early efforts to mobilise church communities, address logistical and theological challenges, and ensure inclusive, high-quality event participation. The findings suggest that while churches face significant hurdles, including resource constraints and varying theological perspectives, they also hold substantial potential to enrich the cultural landscape of Bradford 2025 through intentional, faith-based eventization.

KW - Eventization of Faith

KW - venuefication,

KW - UK City of Culture

KW - Capital of Culture

KW - Bradford 2025

KW - faith communities

KW - theological perspectives

KW - strategic planning,

KW - community engagement

KW - cultural heritage

KW - hybrid venues,

KW - event management,

KW - SFA model (Suitability, Feasibility, Acceptability)

KW - Canon Law,

KW - theology of sacred space,

KW - volunteer training,

KW - cultural risk assessment

KW - local church organisations

KW - mission and evangelism,

KW - community hubs.

M3 - Paper

ER -