The main theme of the IMC 2027 is ‘communities’: “The study of communities involves groups of people, their sharedness, and how those groups define themselves and manage challenges over time. They include the individual’s experience, place, and change relative to the group. The relationship between the individual and circle of social actors with whom they interact affects how these groups appear and work as well as how they influence the actions and activities of the individual.”

Within this thematic focus, the IGTM would like to present perspectives from Christian theology and spirituality. Every Christian community is constituted through its relationship to Jesus Christ. However, this can result in different conceptions and forms of community. Spanning the period from 500 to 1500 AD, we aim to explore the practical and theoretical conceptions of Christian community within theological frameworks and piety. We particularly welcome contributions on the following topics:

(1) The Christian Church as a community

(2) Monastic communities

(3) Laypeople and Community