Church, Identity, and Change

Are denominations passé? In the face of theological crises and plunging membership numbers, the days of some denominations appear to be numbered. Other denominations, though holding their own, are also feeling the stresses of large-scale social change.

"Church, Identity, and Change" offers an unprecedented, in-depth, inside look at the church today through the lens of eight diverse Protestant denominations. For each of the denominations examined — Assemblies of God, Association of Vineyard Churches, Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, National Baptist Convention, Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church — an interdisciplinary team of scholars presents a historical overview, a sociological case study, and a theological essay. These denominations represent a wide scope of American churches — liberal and conservative, old and new, declining and growing, liturgical and nonliturgical. The case studies particularly bring to life each church’s distinctive challenges, including financial scandal, the death of a founder, and more.

The book as a whole submits a timely assessment of the relationship between Christian faith and denominational structures. At a time when many analysts are heralding a major paradigm shift from modern to postmodern forms of organization, "Church, Identity, and Change" tracks how these several denominations are restructuring their organizational identities and practices to embody their theological commitments in a postmodern world. This book is an essential resource for those concerned about the fate of the church in the twenty-first century.

David A. Roozen is professor of religion and society at Hartford Seminary and director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford, Connecticut.

James R. Nieman is professor of practical theology at Hartford Seminary and an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.