Class and Congregations: Class and Religious Affiliation at the Congregational Level of Analysis

Abstract

Since Niebuhr's seminal work on the social sources of denominationalism, nearly all research on the relationship between social class and religious affiliation has focused on the denominational (or individual) level of analysis. This research examines the effects of social class at the congregational level-effects that were previously glossed over by a unit of analysis that was too large. After demonstrating the relative strength of social class at the denominational and congregational level, I argue that our theoretical attempts to link class and religious affiliation must include congregational-level explanations.To date, nearly all research regarding the effects of social class on religious affiliation has focused on the denominational (and individual) level. Following Niebuhr (1929), decades of research have reconfirmed the "social sources of denominationalism" (Demerath ). Past research, however, ignores the possibility that class boundaries could be operative primarily at the congregational level. Partly because of a lack of congregational-level data, and partly because of a myopic focus on denominational differences, we have missed the considerable intradenominational class diversity that exists underneath the relatively stable surface of the denominational class hierarchy.First, I give evidence for intradenominational (and intracongregational) class diversity. Second, the data show that the effects of class are stronger at the congregational than the denominational level of analysis. Third, even though the effects of class are stronger at the congregational level, congregations are not very class-exclusive. Both congregations and denominations are relatively class-diverse, even if denominations are more so. The effects of class, then, are modest at any level.This evidence calls into question abiding explanations for the class-denomination link. Sociologists have long assumed that some combination of other-worldly/this-worldly beliefs, compensation, tension, strictness, deprivation, or separation adequately explain this link (cf. Stark and Bainbridge 1985). Intradenominational and (as noted below) intracongregational class diversity point to explanations other than those positing direct links between class and denomination. Evidently, other factors often trump or mediate the tendency of high-and low-class affiliates to prefer different denominational products. More attention will be given to these theoretical issues below. WHENCE INTRADENOMINATIONAL CLASS VARIATION?Why might class effects be stronger at the congregational than the denominational level? First, there is growing evidence that the class-denomination link may not be very strong, although it is still operative. Stark and Finke emphatically state that "[i]t is past time that we accepted the unanimous results of more than fifty years of quantitative research that show that although class does somewhat influence religious behavior, the effects are very modest, and most religious Sam Reimer is Associate Professor of Sociology at

Financial Strain, Religious Involvement, and Life Satisfaction Among Older Mexican Americans

“…But there is an additional factor that may provide further insight into this relationship. There is some evidence that congregations (but not denominations) tend to be relatively homogeneous with respect to social class (Reimer 2007). So, if an older person is experiencing financial difficulty, there is a good chance the members of his or her congregation will also be facing economic problems.…”

Orthodoxy Niches: Diversity in Congregational Orthodoxy Among Three Protestant Denominations in the United States

“…The recent surge in congregational studies (Ammerman 1997, 2005; Chaves 2004; Woolever and Bruce 2002) has spawned considerable work in intra‐ and intercongregational diversity, but this body of work focuses on demographic diversity (particularly race and social class; Dougherty and Huyser 2008; Emerson 2006; Marti 2010; McCloud and Mirola 2009; Reimer 2007; Schwadel 2009). However, religious organizations not only occupy distinct demographic niches, but also distinct religious niches because they offer different types of religious goods that appeal to different tastes (Scheitle 2007).…”

Bringing the Congregations Back in: Religious Markets, Congregational Density, and American Religious Participation

“…Congregations, regardless of denomination, possess a greater level of homophily along a variety of dimensions. For example, Reimer [15] finds that social class is a significantly stronger predictor of congregational membership than is denominational affiliation. Another indicator of increasing denominational heterogeneity is seen in recent statistics indicating that 15 percent of Southern Baptist Convention congregations are majority nonwhite congregations [16].…”