 Kris Kahl
Sociology
Marion Goldman, Mentor
The Social Dynamics of Building a New Four Square Church
Social scientists use secularization theory to debate whether religious participation is weakening among U.S.
population. A recent theory deems American society to be highly religious based on what is termed a “religious economy”
in which an unrestricted religious marketplace allows for a higher demand of religious participation. Within the last
fifty years the religious economy has produced a new supply of non-denominational churches, specifically the Four Square
ministries. Although the participation level of Four Square churches nationally has been slowly declining, in Eugene,
Oregon, they have remained stable. Recent decisions to build a new Four Square church that might possibly attract
different constituents and create a new market niche are under way. This research focuses on key participants
of this process, specifically the female pastor who is the principle organizer of the planting for this new church.
It will be of particular interest to discover if a gender-centered orientation develops. The goals of this small
exploratory study are to document the complexities of religious involvement required in the building of a new church,
if this church fulfills any market niches, and if so, what market niche or niches it satisfies.
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