Exploring the Dynamics and Challenges of Congregational Size
This article explores several dimensions of the current realities of size in US congregations. Drawing on the Faith Communities Today 2020 national research effort, the differences between various size groupings of congregations are explored. For each of the five size groupings, from under 50 attend...
| Published in: | Theology today |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage Publ.
2021
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| In: |
Theology today
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| IxTheo Classification: | KBQ North America RB Church office; congregation |
| Further subjects: | B
Decline
B Congregational size B fact B Growth B Future B Vitality |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This article explores several dimensions of the current realities of size in US congregations. Drawing on the Faith Communities Today 2020 national research effort, the differences between various size groupings of congregations are explored. For each of the five size groupings, from under 50 attendees to over 1,500 worshippers, the article highlights survey results showing the benefits and challenges associated with each size cluster and implications for congregational flourishing. The article further examines the twofold dynamic of the rapid decline in smaller congregations and the increased consolidation of a majority of attendees in larger congregations. Using survey data, the article argues that this trend has resulted in considerable growth of the larger communities and rapid decline of the smaller ones. |
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| ISSN: | 2044-2556 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Theology today
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/00405736211030245 |