Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

6-2013

Abstract

In this paper I examine the processes and politics associated with the formation of evangelical house churches in Sri Lanka. In doing so, I show how the sacred space of the house church is constructed through the development of sacred networks, which emerge when a group of Christians assemble for prayer and worship. Sacred networks grant the house church an important degree of mobility, but they also encourage church fission. Whilst the house church enables evangelical groups to grow in hostile environments like that of Sri Lanka, it is often a superficial form of growth that is unsustainable in the long term. To conclude, I suggest that an understanding of sacred networks can help inject a sense of scalar dynamism into the study of contemporary religious movements.

Keywords

house church, conversion of space, structural mosaic, sacred networks, evangelical Christianity, Sri Lanka

Discipline

Asian Studies | Religion | Urban Studies and Planning

Research Areas

Humanities

Publication

Environment and Planning D: Society and Space

Volume

31

Issue

6

First Page

1062

Last Page

1075

ISSN

0263-7758

Identifier

10.1068/d7912

Publisher

SAGE Publications (UK and US)

Copyright Owner and License

Author

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1068/d7912

Share

COinS