Abstract
The search for religious indicators of change narrows to focus upon the individual congregation. The Viability of Congregation (VOC) is an indicator of participation within the association. This indicator finds equal applicability to denominational churches as well as cults and sects. The VOC contains no built-in value bias and is simplified to the degree that laymen may apply and evaluate it. This indicator was tested in three congregations where Shippey's construct of Perceived Effectiveness had also been applied. The VOC consistently elaborates the PE index and offers specific advantages in application as well.
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This research was supported in part by Research Grant No. 050-8931-0/1 from the Research Foundation of the State Univ. of New York. I would like to thank Richard G. Sipes for his criticisms and comments on a preliminary draft of this paper.
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Fontane, P.E. Viability of Congregation as a religious indicator. Soc Indic Res 1, 243–255 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302891
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302891