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Does Church Size Matter? A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study of Chinese Congregants’ Religious Attitudes and Behaviors
Cheung,Sing Hang1; Hui,C. Harry1; Lau,Esther Yuet Ying1; Cheung,Shu Fai2; Mok,Doris Shui Ying2
2015-03
Source PublicationReview of Religious Research
ISSN0034673X
Volume57Issue:1Pages:63-86
Abstract

Despite the proliferation of megachurches, it is unclear how the size of a religious organization affects its members. Two opposing assumptions are (1) size is a liability and (2) size is an asset. According to the first assumption, size negatively impacts the religious attitudes and behaviors of church attendees through the reduction of motivation and a loss of coordination (Hypothesis 1). According to the second assumption, a large church benefits from the economies of scale, and therefore size positively influences religious attitudes and behaviors (Hypothesis 2). A third possibility is that the outcome variables are curvilinearly related to size (Hypothesis 3). Using an Asian sample, we compared congregants from churches of different sizes to evaluate these hypotheses empirically. Analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data revealed that although churches of medium size (501–1,000 attendees) may be more successful in attracting and retaining believers more committed to their religion and positive about their congregation, they are no better or worse than smaller or larger churches in fostering religious commitment or building relationships among the congregants. Furthermore, our data showed that larger churches are more effective than smaller ones in preserving the “vertical” aspect of faith maturity. They are, however, less effective in fostering a sense of bonding among attendees. Thus, both Hypotheses 1 and 2 received partial support. A sweeping statement of whether being large is good for a religious organization and its attendees cannot be made.

KeywordAnonymity Church Size Economies Of Scale Religious Attitudes Religious Behavior Spiritual Development
DOI10.1007/s13644-013-0116-3
URLView the original
Indexed BySSCI
Language英語English
WOS Research AreaSociology ; Religion
WOS SubjectSociology ; Religion
WOS IDWOS:000351225200004
PublisherSPRINGER HEIDELBERG, TIERGARTENSTRASSE 17, D-69121 HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
Scopus ID2-s2.0-84924985670
Fulltext Access
Citation statistics
Document TypeJournal article
CollectionDEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
Corresponding AuthorCheung,Sing Hang
Affiliation1.Department of PsychologyUniversity of Hong Kong,Hong Kong,China
2.Department of PsychologyUniversity of Macau,Macau,Macao
Recommended Citation
GB/T 7714
Cheung,Sing Hang,Hui,C. Harry,Lau,Esther Yuet Ying,et al. Does Church Size Matter? A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study of Chinese Congregants’ Religious Attitudes and Behaviors[J]. Review of Religious Research, 2015, 57(1), 63-86.
APA Cheung,Sing Hang., Hui,C. Harry., Lau,Esther Yuet Ying., Cheung,Shu Fai., & Mok,Doris Shui Ying (2015). Does Church Size Matter? A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study of Chinese Congregants’ Religious Attitudes and Behaviors. Review of Religious Research, 57(1), 63-86.
MLA Cheung,Sing Hang,et al."Does Church Size Matter? A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study of Chinese Congregants’ Religious Attitudes and Behaviors".Review of Religious Research 57.1(2015):63-86.
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