The Congregational Location Hypothesis

• In Event: 165 - Section on Sociology of Religion Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 14. Denominational Issues

Abstract

Previous research has established four dominate explanations as to why some religious organizations remain strong and vital, while others grow weak and erode. This paper explores the debate surrounding religious strength and vitality by providing summaries and critiques for each explanation. The author determines that geographic location is often overgeneralized in this literature and, consequently, ignored as a determining factor of religious organization’s strength and vitality. Furthermore, the author calls for the incorporation of the Congregational Location Hypothesis, which states that the geographic location of a religious congregation is a determining factor in the strength and vitality of that congregation, in all research pertaining to this debate. A research agenda is proposed that examines the application of the Congregational Location Hypothesis.

Author

• Mark Killian, Whitworth University