Rituals as an Indicator of Congregational Culture

Culture Frame, Interviews, Participant Observation, Ritual & Worship, Theology Frame

One important way to examine your religious community’s culture is through its rituals. Rituals say something about who we are and what we hold dear, pointing to deeper meanings. In religious communities, these religious rituals outline how a deity is worshiped. Examine how individuals pray to understand more about the relationship with God. Listen to how God…

Understanding “Chreasters” – Members who Attend at Christmas and Easter

Attendance, Congregational Change, Culture Frame, Families, Interviews

The issue of how members become “Chreasters” – people who attend at Christmas and Easter – was raised by George Bullard in the American Baptist Press. The members he focuses on were once regular attenders: they were involved in Sunday School and were active in the congregation. Bullard writes, Then something happened. I do not know…