Empty Churches: Non-Affiliation in America

Based in the idea that social phenomena are best studied through the lens of different disciplinary perspectives, Empty Churches studies the growing number of individuals who no longer affiliate with a religious tradition. Co-editors Jan Stets, a social psychologist, and James Heft, a historian of theology, bring together leading scholars in the fields of sociology, developmental psychology, gerontology, political science, history, philosophy, and pastoral theology.The scholars in this volume explore the phenomenon by drawing from each other's work to understand better the multi-faceted nature of non-affiliation today. They explore the complex impact that non-affiliation has on individuals and the wider society, and what the future looks like for religion in America. The book also features insightful perspectives from parents of young adults and interviews with pastors struggling with this issue who address how we might address this trend. Empty Churches provides a rich and thoughtful analysis on non- affiliation in American society from multiple scholarly perspectives. The increasing growth of non-affiliation threatens the vitality and long-term stability of religious institutions, and this book offers guidance on maintaining the commitment and community at the heart of these institutions.

Table of Contents:
Preface: Robert M. McElroy, Bishop of San Diego Chapter 1: Introduction: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Non-Affiliation Jan E. Stets, University of California, Riverside WHO ARE THEY? Chapter 2: The Many Meanings of Non-Affiliation Nancy Ammerman, Boston University Chapter 3: The Many Meanings of the Secular Joseph O. Baker, East Tennessee State University Chapter 4: Lapsed Catholics and Other Religious Non-Affiliates Carol Ann MacGregor and Ashlyn Haycook, Loyola University New Orleans Chapter 5: Affiliates and Non-Affiliates in Later Life Vern Bengtson, University of Southern California, and Gabrielle Gonzales, Camille Endacott, and Samantha Copping Kang, University of California, Santa Barbara WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? Chapter 6: Developmental Views on Youth Religious Non-Affiliation Sam A. Hardy, Brigham Young University and Gregory S. Longo, Eastern University Chapter 7: Religious Non-Affiliation: Expelled by the Right William V. Trollinger, University of Dayton Chapter 8: The Transformation of Religion: Drawn by the Left Matthew S. Hedstrom, University of Virginia WHAT ARE SOME CONSEQUENCES? Chapter 9: Non-religiosity, Secularism, and Civil Society David E. Campbell, University of Notre Dame Chapter 10: Religious Non-Affiliation and Objections of Conscience Bernard G. Prusak, King's College ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE Chapter 11: Reports from Faith Community Leaders in the South Elizabeth Kirkland Cahill Chapter 12: Cultivating Faith in Young Adults Kerry A. Robinson, Leadership Roundtable Chapter 13: Understanding and Responding to Non-Affiliation James L. Heft, University of Southern California Epilogue: Jan E. Stets, University of California, Riverside and James L. Heft, University of Southern California Notes Index

About the Author :
James L. Heft, S. M., served as professor and chair of the Theology Department at the University of Dayton for six years, Provost for eight years, and Chancellor and Professor of Faith and Culture for 10 years, before moving to the University of Southern California in 2006 as the Alton Brooks Professor of Religion and now the Founder and President Emeritus of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies. He is the author, editor and co-editor of fourteen books, including Catholicism and Interreligious Dialogue (OUP 2011) and Catholic High Schools: Facing the New Realities (OUP 2011). Jan E. Stets is Professor and Director of the Social Psychology Research Laboratory at the University of California, Riverside. She is the former Director of the Sociology Program at the National Science Foundation, and a former co-editor of Social Psychology Quarterly.

Review :
Prefaced by the Bishop of San Diego, this important interdisciplinary study co-directed by a theologian (James L. Heft) and a sociologist (Jan E. Stets) attempts to understand the phenomenon of religious disaffiliation which, after having affected European countries, manifests itself today in the United States, more or less spared on this point until now. I highly recommend this book, both for the extensive answers it provides to its guiding research questions, and for the avenues it charts for future research. This volume is descriptive with a practical aim. Empty Churches makes a significant contribution to understanding contemporary religious trends and offers valuable insights for scholars and practitioners alike. This book is particularly relevant for academics in religious studies,sociology, and political science, as well as for clergy and church leaders seeking to address declining participation. Its balanced treatment of statistical analysis and pastoral application makes it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of faith and institutional religion.