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Article
Social Sources of Community Sentiment in US Congregations
Sociological Spectrum (2017)
  • Brandon C Martinez, Providence College
  • Todd W Ferguson, University of Mary Hardin - Baylor
  • Samuel Stroope, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge
  • Joshua C Tom, Seattle Pacific University
  • Brita Andercheck, Southern Methodist University
Abstract
Community solidarity, or a collective sense of belonging, plays a vital role in the health and survival of many organizations. Consequently, identifying the elements that contribute to a strong sense of solidarity within communities has long been a topic of inquiry for scholars. In this study, we draw upon prior theorizing to develop and test four hypotheses regarding the organizational characteristics associated with community solidarity in religious congregations. Multivariate models are estimated using national data on religious congregations from the 2001 U.S. Congregational Life Survey (n = 357). Organizations with greater community solidarity tend to feature higher levels of social capital (operationalized with measures of friendship networks and participation in organizational activities), higher levels of official membership within the organization, and inspiring congregational leadership. Higher levels of commitment are associated with greater community solidarity, but the effect is wholly mediated by social capital. Congregations that engender higher levels of community solidarity share certain organizational features, including higher levels of social capital, higher rates of membership, and inspiring leaders.
Publication Date
2017
DOI
10.1080/02732173.2017.1334606
Citation Information
Brandon C Martinez, Todd W Ferguson, Samuel Stroope, Joshua C Tom, et al.. "Social Sources of Community Sentiment in US Congregations" Sociological Spectrum Vol. 37 Iss. 4 (2017) p. 223 - 236 ISSN: 0273-2173
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/brandon-martinez/3/