Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Can cyberspace adequately host the church? Reviewing studies of current internet use patterns for spiritual purposes, this paper offers definitions of church and potential reconsiderations of theology, physical location, and purpose. It suggests development of different strands of Christian tradition and communicative options. It concludes by proposing a criterion for discerning an online church as well as an ecclesiology that can support and challenge the weaknesses and strengths of both virtual and physical church communities.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study applies conceptualizations of organizational dissent developed in workplaces to churches in order to explore members’ expressions of voice to church leaders. Church leaders representing a variety of Christian denominations were interviewed regarding members’ frustrations, suggestions, and complaints as well as the leaders’ responses. Results indicate that members tend to be unwilling to directly approach leaders with negative feedback, instead preferring to vent to others around them.

Publication Type: Traditional Presentation
Abstract: Segments of the Christian church operate in local communities and have great opportunities to promote EE in adults and children. Non-Christian environmental practitioners will develop a working knowledge of different North American Christian subcultures and basic ideas of safe engagement.

Publication Type: Invited Paper
Abstract: This presentation explores ways in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints uses the Internet both and a recruiting and retention tool. With two online operations, the Church is able to maintain contact and provide resources to its common membership through www.lds.org. Through www.mormon.org, the Church primarily focuses on virtual outreach to non-members.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This article looks at the effect of religious involvement on civic engagement. Most of the literature on this issue generally agrees that there tends to be a positive correlation between these two, however, some recent articles have found a negative association between religious service attendance and civic engagement. This article seeks to better understand the reason for this finding. By dividing the sample into three groups, The Religiously Networked, The Religiously Uninvolved and The Disengaged Attenders, this analysis sheds light on the nature of religious involvement and, subsequently, the reason for the negative association between attendance and civic engagement. The findings essentially suggest that the Disengaged Attenders, a group who attend religious services frequently while avoiding active involvement in religious groups are the cause of the negative sign. This group, while not very large (8.2% of the population), is the least involved in civic engagement, and thus creates a problem for studies using attendance to measure religious involvement as an independent variable with civic engagement as the outcome variable.

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Supporting Document