Pillars of faith
American congregations and their partners
Nancy Tatom Ammerman
343 pages | ~10 hrs
Comparative Religion
Pillars of faith
American congregations and their partners
By Nancy Tatom Ammerman
In an era when many question the relevance of organized religion, this comprehensive exploration reveals the surprising vitality and enduring significance of America's congregational landscape. Drawing from extensive research across ninety-one different religious traditions, this study unveils how more than 300,000 congregations serve as essential pillars supporting community life throughout the United States.
Through a blend of survey data, personal interviews, and detailed observations, the author examines the rich tapestry of American religious communities, from Mainline and Conservative Protestant churches to Catholic, Jewish, and sectarian groups. Rather than viewing these institutions as isolated entities, the research illuminates the complex networks of partnerships and resources that enable congregations to thrive and adapt.
What emerges is a portrait of remarkable organizational diversity united by common strategies for building social connections and preserving spiritual traditions. These findings challenge pessimistic predictions about religion's decline, demonstrating instead how congregations continue to provide the community bonds that help individuals navigate an increasingly mobile and diverse society.
For those seeking to understand the role of faith communities in contemporary life, this methodologically rigorous yet accessible work offers valuable insights into how religious institutions maintain their relevance while serving the deeper human need for belonging and spiritual grounding in modern America.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religionssoziologie
- ✓ Explore United states, religion
- ✓ Explore Kerkelijke gemeenten
- ✓ Explore Sociologie religieuse
- ✓ Explore Institutions religieuses
- ✓ Explore Glaubensgemeinschaft
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Religious institutions
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2005
- Publisher
- University of California Press
- ISBN-10
- 0520243110
- Pages
- 343
- Language
- EN
- LC Classification
- BL2525.A563 2005
