Suchergebnisse

Publisher's description: More Americans belong to religious congregations than to any other kind of voluntary association. What these vast numbers amount to--what people are doing in the over 300,000 churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples in the United States--is a question that resonates through every quarter of American society, particularly in these times of "faith-based initiatives," "moral majorities," and militant fundamentalism. And it is a question answered in depth and in detail in Congregations in America. Drawing on the 1998 National Congregations Study--the first systematic study of its kind--as well as a broad range of quantitative, qualitative, and historical evidence, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the most significant form of collective religious expression in American society: local congregations. Among its more surprising findings, Congregations in America reveals that, despite the media focus on the political and social activities of religious groups, the arts are actually far more central to the workings of congregations. Here we see how, far from emphasizing the pursuit of charity or justice through social services or politics, congregations mainly traffic in ritual, knowledge, and beauty through the cultural activities of worship, religious education, and the arts. Along with clarifying--and debunking--arguments on both sides of the debate over faith-based initiatives, the information presented here comprises a unique and invaluable resource, answering previously unanswerable questions about the size, nature, make-up, finances, activities, and proclivities of these organizations at the very center of American life

Congregations in Conflict examines the nature of American congregations as institutions, looking in particular at how they deal with conflict within their ranks, to gain insight into religious culture, or the moral order of local religious life. In detailed and well documented case studies of conflict in twenty-three congregations Becker examines such factors as organizational processes, the extent and types of ties between church members, their shared understandings about mission and identity, and level of public commitment. From these factors, the author develops four models of local religious cultures, each of which emphasizes different aspects of the mission imperatives that broadly characterize American religion - to reproduce an historic faith, to provide a caring community of believers, and to witness. Becker finds vital 'public religion': congregations that provide caring and support for members, service to the local community, and important arenas for moral debate and public activism

'Beyond the Congregation' utilizes data on almost 2,000 of the largest and most influential Christian nonprofits in the United States to answer some of the key questions raised by these organizations. What explains the growth of Christian nonprofits? What activities are they pursuing? How are they funded and how do they use those funds?

"In a 2011 State of the City Address, the mayor of pastor and author Mark Hearn's city said there were fifty-seven languages spoken at the local high school. Hearn left asking himself, How should our church respond? This question led to a movement that brought First Baptist Duluth to reflecting its surrounding community. This journey was captured in Pastor Hearn's first book, Technicolor: Inspiring Your Church to Embrace Multicultural Ministry Now, nearly five years after Technicolor, members of his congregation discuss the joys, struggles, and triumphs of being a part of a multi-ethnic church- providing a glimpse of the nature of a church that reflects its community. "--

Gaede skillfully weaves together the stories of many congregations and how they faced and dealt with the issue of homosexuality. A helpful resource for assisting congregations that seek to engage in dialogue about one of the most difficult faith issues today, the book does not take a theological stand, but rather draws on the experiences of others who have struggled with how to address this issue from a position of respect for all views.

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- List of Maps -- Preface and Acknowledgments -- 1. Introduction: Th e Irony of Religion and Racial Segregation -- Part I: The Evolution of an Evangelical Denomination -- 2. Mobility and Insularity -- 3. Shuttered in Chicago -- 4. A Case Study of the Closed Community: Th e Disrupted Integration of Timothy Christian School -- Part II: City and Neighborhood Change -- 5. Chicago: A Brief History of African American In-Migration and White Reaction -- 6. The Black Belt Reaches Englewood and Roseland -- Part III: Congregations Respond to Neighborhood Change -- 7. The Insignificance of Place -- 8. The Significance of Polity -- 9. Second Roseland (CRC) Leaves the City -- 10. The Contrast between Sister Denominations -- 11. Conclusion: The Continuing Resonance of Religion in Race and Urban Patterns -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- ABOUT THE AUTHOR