Redefining Belonging: The Boundaries of Religious Identity in Institutions and Everyday Life

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Walker, J. (2017). Redefining Belonging: The Boundaries of Religious Identity in Institutions and Everyday Life. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study examines how religious identity and boundaries are constructed at three separate levels: the institutional, the local, and the individual. Using the case of Forest Hill Apostolic Church, I analyze the relationships between these three levels by examining data collected from denominational documents, participant observation at church services and activities, and semi-structured interviews with congregation members. Analysis suggests that while there are patterned similarities between levels there is also significant variation. Discourse at the local and individual levels blurs the definitions and boundaries of Apostolic identity set by the institutional church. The analysis reveals what I term self-reflective boundary work, or reminders not to think of oneself or community as superior to others, as an important component of this process. In addition, respondents suggest that there are significant differences in how local churches define identity and boundaries over space and time. This lends support to prior research that suggests boundary work is context dependent as well as work on religious identity that suggests that local congregations are influential in the construction of religious identity.

Details
Author

Walker, Jonathan

Title

Redefining Belonging: The Boundaries of Religious Identity in Institutions and Everyday Life

Physical Description

1 online resource (72 pages) : PDF

Date

2017

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study examines how religious identity and boundaries are constructed at three separate levels: the institutional, the local, and the individual. Using the case of Forest Hill Apostolic Church, I analyze the relationships between these three levels by examining data collected from denominational documents, participant observation at church services and activities, and semi-structured interviews with congregation members. Analysis suggests that while there are patterned similarities between levels there is also significant variation. Discourse at the local and individual levels blurs the definitions and boundaries of Apostolic identity set by the institutional church. The analysis reveals what I term self-reflective boundary work, or reminders not to think of oneself or community as superior to others, as an important component of this process. In addition, respondents suggest that there are significant differences in how local churches define identity and boundaries over space and time. This lends support to prior research that suggests boundary work is context dependent as well as work on religious identity that suggests that local congregations are influential in the construction of religious identity.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Sociology

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Identity
Religion
Social Boundaries
Symbolic Boundaries

Subject Area

Sociology

Advisor(s)

Fitzgerald, Scott

Committee Members

Walker, Lisa
Schmutz, Vaughn

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2017.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Walker_uncc_0694N_11484

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:77