Congregations in Conflict: Cultural Models of Local Religious LifeCongregations 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. |
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Congregations in conflict: cultural models of local religious life
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictCategorizing American religion and religious life as an institutional field rather than a set of like beliefs or highly structured ritual relationships, Becker (sociology, Cornell Univ.) considers the ... Read full review
Congregations in conflict: cultural models of local religious life
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictCategorizing American religion and religious life as an institutional field rather than a set of like beliefs or highly structured ritual relationships, Becker (sociology, Cornell Univ.) considers the ... Read full review
Contents
WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE DO THINGS HERE LOCAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF MISSION AND IDENTITY | 1 |
THE CONGREGATIONS OF OAK PARK RIVER FOREST AND FOREST PARK | 26 |
HOUSES OF WORSHIP | 53 |
FAMILY CONGREGATIONS | 77 |
COMMUNITY CONGREGATIONS | 101 |
LEADER CONGREGATIONS | 126 |
MIXED CONGREGATIONS | 149 |
Common terms and phrases
action activism American analysis approach asked attendance authority Baptist become beliefs building called Catholic Chicago church commitment community congregations concerns conflict congregational models conservative culture debate decision denominational discussion doctrine effect engaged example experience expressive family congregations feel field formal four gregations house of worship ideas identity important individual institutional institutionalized interviews involved issues kind lay leaders lead leadership less liberal lives means meetings middle-class mission moral needs notes Oak Park older organizational organizations orientation outreach parish participation particular pastor Plymouth Brethren political practices Press professionals programs questions religion religious reported ritual role sense social specific stand structure style Sunday talk tasks tend things tion told tradition types understanding United University values women
Bibliographic information
| Title | Congregations in Conflict: Cultural Models of Local Religious Life |
| Authors | Penny Edgell Becker, Penny Edgell |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 1999 |
| ISBN | 0521594626, 9780521594622 |
| Length | 267 pages |
| Subjects | › › Social Science / Sociology / General Social Science / Sociology of Religion |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |