Archived News – May 2016
May
25
2016
Science Codex: Congregations striving for racial and ethnic diversity may shrink, Baylor study finds
May 10, 2016
Congregations attempting to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor University study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion and based on an analysis of data from more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. "Racial diversity itself is not a detriment to growth," said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences. "It is the process of changing the racial composition of a congregation that causes difficulties." (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched the research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Congregations attempting to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor University study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion and based on an analysis of data from more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. "Racial diversity itself is not a detriment to growth," said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences. "It is the process of changing the racial composition of a congregation that causes difficulties." (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched the research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
25
2016
May 17, 2016
Youths who use social media are more likely to develop a “pick-and-choose” approach to customize their faith — regardless of what their religious tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. “On Facebook, there is no expectation that one’s ‘likes’ be logically consistent and hidebound by tradition,” he said. “Instead, the Facebook effect is that all spiritual options become commodities and resources that individuals can tailor to meet their needs.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Youths who use social media are more likely to develop a “pick-and-choose” approach to customize their faith — regardless of what their religious tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. “On Facebook, there is no expectation that one’s ‘likes’ be logically consistent and hidebound by tradition,” he said. “Instead, the Facebook effect is that all spiritual options become commodities and resources that individuals can tailor to meet their needs.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
24
2016
May 16, 2016
Youths who use social media are more likely to develop a “pick-and-choose” approach to customize their faith — regardless of what their religious tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. “On Facebook, there is no expectation that one’s ‘likes’ be logically consistent and hidebound by tradition,” he said. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Youths who use social media are more likely to develop a “pick-and-choose” approach to customize their faith — regardless of what their religious tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. “On Facebook, there is no expectation that one’s ‘likes’ be logically consistent and hidebound by tradition,” he said. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
20
2016
May 19, 2016
Young people who frequently use social media are more likely to have a pick-and-choose approach to religion to suit their needs, regardless of their faith tradition, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. “I think technology tends to give individuals so much control over their life’s circumstances and presents so many options before them that people feel empowered to approach religion with a cafeteria-style mentality,” McClure said. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story and arranged the interview. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Young people who frequently use social media are more likely to have a pick-and-choose approach to religion to suit their needs, regardless of their faith tradition, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. “I think technology tends to give individuals so much control over their life’s circumstances and presents so many options before them that people feel empowered to approach religion with a cafeteria-style mentality,” McClure said. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story and arranged the interview. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
20
2016
May 17, 2016
Congregations attempting to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Those that are "planted" as diverse have the greatest potential to sustain that diversity, said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched the research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Congregations attempting to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Those that are "planted" as diverse have the greatest potential to sustain that diversity, said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched the research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
19
2016
May 17, 2016
Youths who use social media are more likely to express tolerance towards other religious beliefs, according to a study by Baylor University. The study, published in the journal Sociological Perspectives, was based on an analysis of three surveys of youths between 13 and 29 from 2002 to 2013. It revealed that youths involved on social networks were more likely to show religious tolerance. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Youths who use social media are more likely to express tolerance towards other religious beliefs, according to a study by Baylor University. The study, published in the journal Sociological Perspectives, was based on an analysis of three surveys of youths between 13 and 29 from 2002 to 2013. It revealed that youths involved on social networks were more likely to show religious tolerance. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
18
2016
May 17, 2016
Youths who use social media are more likely to develop a “pick-and-choose” approach to customize their faith — regardless of what their religious tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. “On Facebook, there is no expectation that one’s ‘likes’ be logically consistent and hidebound by tradition,” he said. “Instead, the Facebook effect is that all spiritual options become commodities and resources that individuals can tailor to meet their needs.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Youths who use social media are more likely to develop a “pick-and-choose” approach to customize their faith — regardless of what their religious tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, doctoral candidate in sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study was published in the journal Sociological Perspectives. “On Facebook, there is no expectation that one’s ‘likes’ be logically consistent and hidebound by tradition,” he said. “Instead, the Facebook effect is that all spiritual options become commodities and resources that individuals can tailor to meet their needs.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
17
2016
May 11, 2016
Churches with the greatest diversity growth also had the steepest declines in attendance, according to a Baylor study of more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the fundamental character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Churches with the greatest diversity growth also had the steepest declines in attendance, according to a Baylor study of more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the fundamental character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
16
2016
May 16, 2016
Young social media users are more likely to “pick and choose” their religious beliefs — regardless of what their faith tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, a doctoral candidate in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study, published in the journal Sociological Perspectives, was based on an analysis of national data gathered from 3,290 youths from 2002 to 2013, following them from when they were between the ages of 13 and 17 until they were ages 22 to 29. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Young social media users are more likely to “pick and choose” their religious beliefs — regardless of what their faith tradition teaches — than those who do not use social media, according to a study by Paul McClure, a doctoral candidate in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences. The study, published in the journal Sociological Perspectives, was based on an analysis of national data gathered from 3,290 youths from 2002 to 2013, following them from when they were between the ages of 13 and 17 until they were ages 22 to 29. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
13
2016
North Dallas Gazette: Congregations Striving for Racial and Ethnic Diversity May Shrink, Study Shows
May 10, 2016
Congregations attempting to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor University study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion and based on an analysis of data from more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran over Church in America (ECLA) over a 19-year period. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Congregations attempting to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor University study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion and based on an analysis of data from more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran over Church in America (ECLA) over a 19-year period. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
12
2016
May 10, 2016
Congregations trying to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences, said that diversity itself does not cause decline, but “the process of changing the racial composition of a congregation that causes difficulties.” Study findings show that congregations that are not begun with a diverse membership likely will have a hard time becoming diverse later. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, wrote this story and pitched the research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Congregations trying to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences, said that diversity itself does not cause decline, but “the process of changing the racial composition of a congregation that causes difficulties.” Study findings show that congregations that are not begun with a diverse membership likely will have a hard time becoming diverse later. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, wrote this story and pitched the research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
11
2016
May 10, 2016
Churches with the greatest diversity growth also had the steepest declines in attendance, according to a Baylor study of more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the fundamental character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Churches with the greatest diversity growth also had the steepest declines in attendance, according to a Baylor study of more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the fundamental character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
11
2016
May 10, 2016
Churches with the greatest diversity growth also had the steepest declines in attendance, according to a Baylor study of more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the fundamental character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Churches with the greatest diversity growth also had the steepest declines in attendance, according to a Baylor study of more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Racial diversity itself does not cause decline, but changing the fundamental character of a congregation is an “extremely daunting task,” said lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences. “Congregations intentionally planted as diverse from the beginning have the greatest potential to sustain that change, while those trying to change their diversity will have a bumpy road ahead.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this story nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
10
2016
May 10, 2016
Congregations trying to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Researchers analyzed data from more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA) covering a 19-year period. Lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences, said the findings show that congregations that are not begun with a diverse membership likely will have a hard time becoming diverse later. “That change in the fundamental character of a congregation is an extremely daunting task,” he said. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
Congregations trying to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Researchers analyzed data from more than 11,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA) covering a 19-year period. Lead author Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences, said the findings show that congregations that are not begun with a diverse membership likely will have a hard time becoming diverse later. “That change in the fundamental character of a congregation is an extremely daunting task,” he said. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, pitched this research nationally. She covers sociology research and faculty.)
May
9
2016
WACO, Texas (May 9, 2016) — Congregations attempting to boost their racial and ethnic diversity may end up with fewer people in the seats, according to a Baylor University study.
May
3
2016
April 27, 2016
Article about the new Haunted History Trail of New York State quotes Carson Mencken, Ph.D., professor and chair of sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences and an expert on paranormal believers. “Since the dawn of time we’ve been interested in what comes next,” Mencken said. “It’s only human nature to try to find some empirical evidence that something exists beyond death. That’s why so many people are interested in ghosts and ghost stories and hunting ghosts.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, arranged this interview.)
Article about the new Haunted History Trail of New York State quotes Carson Mencken, Ph.D., professor and chair of sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences and an expert on paranormal believers. “Since the dawn of time we’ve been interested in what comes next,” Mencken said. “It’s only human nature to try to find some empirical evidence that something exists beyond death. That’s why so many people are interested in ghosts and ghost stories and hunting ghosts.” (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, arranged this interview.)
May
3
2016
April 27, 2016
Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, recently published research with colleagues from Providence College and Davidson College in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. They found that increased diversity may be associated with a decline in church attendance. Dougherty and his colleagues examined how more than 10,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America changed from 1993 through 2012. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, covers sociology research and faculty.)
Kevin Dougherty, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, recently published research with colleagues from Providence College and Davidson College in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. They found that increased diversity may be associated with a decline in church attendance. Dougherty and his colleagues examined how more than 10,000 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America changed from 1993 through 2012. (Terry Goodrich, assistant director of Baylor Media Communications, covers sociology research and faculty.)