
The Rise of Network Christianity
How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 30. March 2017
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-0-19-063567-1 (ISBN)
Description
Why, when traditionally organized religious groups are seeing declining membership and participation, are networks of independent churches growing so explosively? Drawing on in-depth interviews with leaders and participants, The Rise of Network Christianity explains the social forces behind the fastest growing form of Christianity in the U.S., which Brad Christerson and Richard Flory have labeled "Independent Network Christianity" (INC). This form of Christianity emphasizes aggressive engagement with the supernatural, including healing, direct prophecies from God, engaging in "spiritual warfare" against demonic spirits, and social transformation. Christerson and Flory argue that large-scale social changes since the 1970s, including globalization and the digital revolution have given competitive advantages to religious groups organized by networks rather than traditionally organized congregations and denominations.
Network forms of church governance allow for experimentation with controversial supernatural practices, innovative finances and marketing, and a highly participatory, unorthodox, and experiential faith, which is attractive in today's unstable religious marketplace. Christerson and Flory argue that as more religious groups imitate this type of governance, religious belief and practice will become more experimental, more oriented around practice than belief, more shaped by the individual religious "consumer" and that authority will become more highly concentrated in the hands of individuals rather than institutions.
Network forms of church governance allow for experimentation with controversial supernatural practices, innovative finances and marketing, and a highly participatory, unorthodox, and experiential faith, which is attractive in today's unstable religious marketplace. Christerson and Flory argue that as more religious groups imitate this type of governance, religious belief and practice will become more experimental, more oriented around practice than belief, more shaped by the individual religious "consumer" and that authority will become more highly concentrated in the hands of individuals rather than institutions.
Reviews / Votes
This is an important book because it illustrates very well what some sociologists have argued for some time: globalization does not mean the end of religion but rather globalization introduces new forms including networked religion. * Michael Wilkinson, Pneuma * Christerson and Flory have offered us a valuable piece of the overall puzzle depicting changes in the organization of Christianity. * Christopher P. Scheitle, Sociology of Religion * The authors' aims are clearly defined and unpacked throughout the book. They substantiate their claim that [Independent Network Charismatic] Christianity is a rapidly growing sub-group in neo-Charismatic Christianity and argue that it will influence mainstream Christian practices in years to come. Their discussion of networks in the religious economy is useful in understanding the influence of INC Christianity in the changing religious landscape of America. * Shaun Joynt, Reading Religion * Well-researched and well-executed... Christerson and Flory have offered us a valuable piece of the overall puzzle depicting changes in the organization of Christianity. * Christopher P. Scheitle, Sociology of Religion *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
461 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-063567-1 (9780190635671)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Brad Christerson | Richard Flory
The Rise of Network Christianity
How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape
E-Book
02/2017
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€19.49
Available for download

Brad Christerson | Richard Flory
The Rise of Network Christianity
How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape
E-Book
02/2017
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€19.49
Available for download
Persons
Brad Christerson is Associate Professor of Sociology at Biola University.
Richard Flory is Director of Research in the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture and Associate Research Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern California.
Richard Flory is Director of Research in the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture and Associate Research Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern California.
Author
Professor of SociologyProfessor of Sociology, Biola University
Senior Director of Research and Evaluation, Center for Religion and Civic CultureSenior Director of Research and Evaluation, Center for Religion and Civic Culture, University of Southern California
Content
Chapter 1 The Rise of "Independent Network Charismatic" (INC) Christianity
Chapter 2 The Origins of INC Christianity
Chapter 3 Innovations in Governance: Networks and Apostles
Chapter 4 The Product: Supernatural Power and Social Transformation
Chapter 5 Innovations in Finances and Marketing
Chapter 6 Competitive Disadvantages and Downsides
Chapter 7 Theorizing the Success of INC Christianity and its Implications
Chapter 2 The Origins of INC Christianity
Chapter 3 Innovations in Governance: Networks and Apostles
Chapter 4 The Product: Supernatural Power and Social Transformation
Chapter 5 Innovations in Finances and Marketing
Chapter 6 Competitive Disadvantages and Downsides
Chapter 7 Theorizing the Success of INC Christianity and its Implications