Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-122).

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This dissertation advances our understanding of the structure of social relations between small groups and the larger organizations within which such groups are situated. Specifically, I examine structures of leadership and authority to gain an in-depth understanding of group organization in one nondenominational and one Southern Baptist megachurch. Methods include in-depth interviews with church clergy, staff, and group leaders; participant observation in groups and other church activities; and a written survey for group leaders. Using this combination of methods, I investigate how small groups are structured in terms of their connections to the megachurches within which they reside. I examine the extent to which the church staff provides oversight and exerts control over groups, and I connect variation on this dimension to how groups relate to their members and to the outside world.My findings include, first, that market metaphors permeate the organization of groups in these two megachurch organizations. The diffusion of ideas and practices from other institutional realms is notable in these two sites, and this may be true for megachurches more generally. Second, I argue that understanding strictness in religious groups is at least as much about the structure of relations between church leadership and membership as it is about beliefs. Third, small groups in megachurches look very much like small groups in American religion more generally, and church oversight may not make much difference in solving problems in small groups identified in previous research. Finally, I find that the level of oversight and control exerted by church leadership on the organization of groups may have a critical influence on the function of groups. Loose and tight connections appear to encourage a more outward and inward focus, respectively.Sociologists studying religious strictness or small groups in any setting should pay particular attention to the structure of relations connecting groups to the larger organizations within which they reside. Religious leaders interested in organizing groups of members should understand that the structure they create to connect with group leaders is at least as important as beliefs they teach leaders, in terms of influencing the focus of the groups.

This study examines the differences between interaction in Internet chat rooms and face to face communication and the effect those differences have on the development of social capital. Much has been written recently regarding the decline of social capital as evidenced by decreasing membership in small organizations. However, relatively little has been written about the potential for social capital to be_ developed through other forms of interaction. Results of this study indicate that though there are differences in the two experimental groups, there are no statistically significant differences between them. / Department of Political Science

Thesis (M.A.)--Cincinnati Bible Seminary, 1988. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [195]-199).

Thesis project (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 238-246).