Chapter.8 Exam Prep Organized Religion

Chapter 8

Organized Religion:

Denominationalism and Congregationalism

Essay Questions

When it comes to essay questions, students sometimes write poorly because they are guessing about what the instructor wants, even if the question seems to be perfectly clear. For that reason we strongly recommend provision of an audience (so students know how much to assume in use of sociological vocabulary as well as how much must be made explicit) and criteria for evaluation (which is information that any writer needs to know.) Below are two sample statements that might be used as part of an essay question.

Since some of these questions call for careful reflection, you might consider giving students a list of these and other essay questions in advance.

1. Why are denominationalism and congregationalism historically the core elements of religion in America? As part of your answer, discuss why newly immigrated religions tend toward institutional isomorphism in this regard?

2. Explain the major features of schism (fission) and consolidation (fusion) in American denominationalism. What factors contribute to these splits and mergers?

3. Are megachurches the wave of the future? Why or why not? If so, what are the implications for religion in the United States?

4. Is "marketing" of religion intrinsically a problem that causes distortions of religion, or does competition in the market place of ideas add vitality and intensified commitment to religion? Why do you think as you do?

5. What is meant by "plausibility structures"? How do they work and why are they necessary?

6. Support or refute the following statement, providing evidence in support of your position and anticipating opposing views: "New paradigm churches are the wave of the future for religion and will fundamentally reshape future generations of Christianity."

7. What are some principles of a rational choice analysis of religion? Explain contributions of this theoretical perspective and indicate some possible limitations of this type of analysis as it applies to the study of marketing in faith communities.

8. New paradigm and seeker-sensitive churches are being very self-conscious about their marketing strategies to draw members. Yet Max Weber insists that people have always been more likely to join churches where there is "elective affinity" to their social, cultural, or economic circumstances. Is the “new paradigm church” any different? Does it make a difference whether the leaders "happen" to draw people with similar cultural values or interests as opposed to those who target an audience and modify the message to have greater appeal? Why?

9. Leaders of new paradigm churches have, to an extent, embraced local or national values while at the same time making it clear that there are some core ideas that cannot be compromised. One belief that is held fast is the notion that “Jesus offers the exclusive access to God.” The baby boom generation, however, are more open to other ideas, possibly even that there are multiple paths to God. How do new paradigm churches attract those from the baby boom generation if some core beliefs are seemingly held in opposition…or do new paradigm churches attempt to reach a new generation of people?

10. Explain what is meant by “de facto congregationalism,” and discuss its relationship with denominationalism and denominational polity structures.

11. This question is likely to work best as a take-home exam: Design a study following up on the finding from the National Congregations Study that worship is becoming increasingly informal. What is your research question? What hypotheses will you seek to test? What is your method of data collection? What challenges will you face in carrying out your study?

Multiple Choice Test Questions

1. A religion moves to a new country—carried by immigrants--and organizationally begins to change so that it look and acts and is structured like other religions in that social environment. This pattern is referred to by sociologists as

a. ethnocide.

b. institutional isomorphism.

c. religious fission.

d. paradenominationalism.

e. transdenominational evangelicalism.

2. The primal characteristics of religion in the United States are--and long have been—

a. presbyterian and episcopal organizational polity.

b. denominationalism and congregationalism.

c. megachurches and extensive marketing.

d. new paradigm and seeker churches

e. religious homogeneity and a blurring the line between church and state.

3. At the beginning of the third millennium, the largest category or “type “of religious affiliation in the U.S. is

a. Presbyterian.

b. Baptist

c. Congregational.

d. nondenominational.

e. Methodist.

4. The idea that evangelical religion in the modern pluralistic societies thrives in large part because it is embedded in ethnic and class values and loyalties is called

a. paradenominationalism.

b. transdenominalsim..

c. religious fission theory.

d. subcultural identity theory.

e. institutional isomorphism.

5. When religions groups are faced with massive disconfirming evidence they may continue to survive, but only if they have

a. extraordinarily strong plausibility structures.

b. a rational-bureaucratic leader.

c. presbyterian polity.

d. extraordinarily low IQs.

e. episcopal church polity

6. Plausibility structures

a. are only used by mainline churches.

b. sacralize the shared meanings of religious groups and make them compelling.

c. must be logical to be believed.

d. are only used by world-transforming movements and cults.

7. According to your textbook authors, the plausibility structures of a religion might include a number of features. Which of the following is NOT one of these elements of plausibility?

a. Ritual

b. Dualistic belief systems

c. Sacred music

d. Striking architecture

e. Anomie

8. The median congregation in the United States has roughly how many members?

a. 40

b. 75

c. 150

d. 400

e. 1,200

9. The typical member of a congregation in the U.S. attends a church, mosque, or temple with about how many members:

a. 40

b. 75

c. 150

d. 400

e. 1,200

10. The double aspect of congregational life in the U.S. means that most people who belong to a congregation and attend services

a. attend one that is larger than the average-sized congregation.

b. attend one that is smaller than the average sized congregation.

c. attend one that is typical of the average-sized congregation.

d. often belong to two religious communities.

e. attend a congregation that is different from the one other family members attend—such as one’s spouse.

11. If a religious coalition of congregations is a denomination with a hierarchy is headed by a bishop, that TYPE of religious organizational policy is called

a. presbyterian.

b. congregational.

c. episcopal.

d. nondenominational.

e. Roman Catholic.

13. The United Church of Christ and the Southern Baptists allow each congregation to have a great deal of authority, including who to hire as pastor and what credentials the person must have to be the minister. This approach to religious organizational polity is called

a. presbyterian.

b. baptist.

c. episcopal.

d. nondenominational.

e. congregational.

15. If a scholar is discussing the average for congregational size in the United States and points out that only eleven percent of the religiously-affiliated people attend services in a house of worship with less than the average , you know that the scholar is

a. taking a congregational approach to averages.

b. taking an individual approach to averages

c. is “statistically challenged”

d. is using the modal size rather than the median size.

e. is using the “hypercritical statistical reduction” approach to averages.

16. High levels of emotional appeal are especially likely in

a. congregations that appeal to a professional class of people.

b. congregations that appeal to lower-income people.

c. Islamic congregations.

d. Jewish congregations.

e. Buddhist congregations

17. The most common features in worship services in the United States—across denominations and congregations—are

a. singing by the congregation and a sermon or lecture by the clergyperson.

b. speaking in tongues and faith healing.

c. reading or reciting something in unison and applause.

d. drums and people praying with their hands in the raised high to God.

e. visual projection equipment and silent prayer or meditation.

18. New paradigm churches have mainly targeted people who are:

a. Older (elderly), highly educated, and above average in income

b. White baby-boomers, college educated, and above average in income

c. Older, less well educated than the average citizen, and below average in income.

d. Young adults, less well educated than the average citizen, and below average in income.

e. Hispanic-Americans and Asian Americans.

19. Which one of the following is NOT a way that new paradigm churches appeal to new members:

a. emphasizing individualism.

b. emphasizing loyalty to a denomination.

c. appealing to current cultural styles.

d. displaying an anti-establishment attitude, especially regarding religion.

20. Which one of the following is NOT a core belief that many new paradigm churches hold without compromise?

a. A belief in the authority of the Bible.

b. A belief that Jesus offers the exclusive access to God.

c. A belief that human depravity is part of the human condition.

d. A belief in strict denial of consumerism.

21. Which of the following is NOT a common feature that new paradigm churches share?

a. Worship is contemporary.

b. Bible-centered preaching predominates over topical sermonizing.

c. There are few small group ministries.

d. Pastors are humble and understated.

e. Tolerance of different personal styles is valued.

22. A religious organization dedicated to transforming the method of delivering a religious message, adopting some values and technology of the dominant society, and rejecting hierarchical organization is a:

a. New paradigm church

b. Megachurch

c. Electric church

d. Parachurch

e. Secularized church

23. Seeker churches aim to attract the unchurched through:

a. Rejecting modern media and embracing traditional methods of worship.

b. Intense exploration of theological issues and human existential debates.

c. Rigorous leadership by highly schooled ordained ministers.

d. Modification of the faith to meet consumer demand.

e. Strict adherence to a theology of Biblical inerrancy.

24. Market research has found specific messages that appeal to the unchurched. Given this, seeker-sensitive churches would tend to emphasize all of the following messages EXCEPT:

a. In consumerist America, the mall is a metaphor for the good life.

b. The worship service should be upbeat, expressive, and active.

c. Believers should have direct access to spirituality, not a mediated experience through ordained clergy.

d. Church members should be encouraged to make their own interpretations of the meaning of scripture in their lives.

e. A vibrant seeker church should have strong institutional ties to an established denomination.

25. What is the key element of new paradigm churches?

a. They are huge—with 10,000 to 15,000 members.

b. They emphasize this-worldly rewards.

c. They attract most of their members from “generation X.”

d. They have a desire to be culturally relevant.

e. They are relatively conservative compared to traditional churches, since they believe in the inerrancy of the Bible.