Can empirical research predict the future of the church?: Theoretical clarifications and results from a longitudinal study
This article first discusses the question of how empirical research can contribute to the ongoing discussions concerning the future of the church. Among others, German research on church membership is used as a case study for gaining insights into the interplay between theoretical assumptions, empir...
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| Altri autori: | |
| Tipo di documento: | Elettronico Articolo |
| Lingua: | Inglese |
| Verificare la disponibilità: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Caricamento...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Pubblicazione: |
2017
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| In: |
Journal of empirical theology
Anno: 2017, Volume: 30, Fascicolo: 2, Pagine: 198-217 |
| (sequenze di) soggetti normati: | B
Chiesa evangelica
/ Futuro
/ Ricerca empirica
/ Appartenenza alla Chiesa
/ Confermazione
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| Notazioni IxTheo: | AD Sociologia delle religioni CF Cristianesimo; scienza KDD Chiesa evangelica RB Carica ecclesiastica RF Catechetica |
| Altre parole chiave: | B
Church membership
confirmation
youth work
longitudinal research
multi level analysis
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| Accesso online: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Riepilogo: | This article first discusses the question of how empirical research can contribute to the ongoing discussions concerning the future of the church. Among others, German research on church membership is used as a case study for gaining insights into the interplay between theoretical assumptions, empirical research and designing strategies for church development. The need for comparisons over time, for longitudinal studies and the identification of long-term predictors is discussed. Against this background, recent research on confirmation work in Germany and Europe is taken up as an example. The article draws on data from a European study on confirmation work with a longitudinal research approach. The results show that confirmation work, as one of the major educational programs of the Protestant Church, can influence adolescents’ views of Christian faith and the church. Predictors for future commitment to the church in terms of believing, belonging and volunteerism are not only dependent on religious socialization in childhood but also on experiences and activities during confirmation time in adolescence. |
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| Descrizione fisica: | 2 Illustrationen (teilweise farbig) |
| ISSN: | 1570-9256 |
| Comprende: | Enthalten in: Journal of empirical theology
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15709256-12341360 |