Wearing the ring: formal church membership for the 21st century

David R DeCan

Etd

Wearing the ring: formal church membership for the 21st century

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

David R DeCan. Wearing the Ring: Formal Church Membership for the 21st Century. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/e8262c2d-b8ad-40e4-bc56-05be1038e9bb?q=2009.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

D. R. Decan. Wearing the ring: formal church membership for the 21st century. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/e8262c2d-b8ad-40e4-bc56-05be1038e9bb?q=2009

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

David R DeCan. Wearing the Ring: Formal Church Membership for the 21st Century. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/e8262c2d-b8ad-40e4-bc56-05be1038e9bb?q=2009.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

David R DeCan

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Alternative Title

Wearing the ring: formal church membership for the twenty-first century

Abstract

Churches today are de-emphasizing church membership in response to increased pressure from society to reduce commitment levels. These churches may, however, be incorrectly applying general societal concerns about commitment to Christians who are seeking commitment. A substantial group of people in the current study desired to become church members, but, because of church leadership de-emphasis of formal membership, had limited avenues to express this element of their faith. Designed to assist church leaders and parishioners in finding new understanding and meaning in formal church membership, the study offers a biblical and theological guide for those struggling with the concept of church membership, as well as a review of significant literature relating to the subject. Two local churches were selected for a three hour seminar on church membership. Analysis of data revealed no antagonism to church membership; such antagonism may exist on the margins among those who would not attend such a seminar.

Publisher