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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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Schweitzer, Friedrich 1954- (Autor)
Otros Autores: Ilg, Wolfgang 1973- (Autor)
Tipo de documento: Electrónico Artículo
Lenguaje:Inglés
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Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Publicado: 2017
En: Journal of empirical theology
Año: 2017, Volumen: 30, Número: 2, Páginas: 198-217
(Cadenas de) Palabra clave estándar:B Iglesia evangélica / Futuro / Investigación empírica / Filiación a una Iglesia / Confirmación
Clasificaciones IxTheo:AD Sociología de la religión
CD Cristianismo ; Ciencia 
KDD Iglesia evangélica 
RB Ministerio eclesiástico
RF Catequética
Otras palabras clave:B Church membership confirmation youth work longitudinal research multi level analysis
Acceso en línea: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Descripción
Sumario: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.
Descripción Física:2 Illustrationen (teilweise farbig)
ISSN:1570-9256
Obras secundarias:Enthalten in: Journal of empirical theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15709256-12341360