Interdenominational Dialogue: Seeking a Common Language for Affiliation Research and Practice


 

Publication Date: January 1995

Publisher: Greenwood Press (San Francisco, Calif.)

Author(s): Gary A. Tobin

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: American Jews; Congregations; Religious denominations

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In: Amy Sales and Gary Tobin (eds.) Church and Synagogue Affiliation - Theory, Research and Practice, 41-54. This chapter explores the definitional issues surrounding the study and discussions of congregational affiliation and growth. The firsts sections examine the range of definitions used by clergy and scholars. The final section suggests using the concepts of ideology, participation and identity as a basis for sorting out the confusion and complexity in affiliation related terminology.