Churches, Sects, & CultsChurches, Sects, & Cults

Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations

A formal religious organization that is A formal religious organization that is well integrated into the larger society.well integrated into the larger society.

A religious organization that stands A religious organization that stands apart from the larger society.apart from the larger society.

A religious organization that is A religious organization that is substantially outside of the cultural substantially outside of the cultural traditions of society.traditions of society.

Ecclesia

Denominations

Denominational Sects

Institutionalized Sects

Organizational FormsOrganizational Forms

Charismatic Charismatic LeaderLeader

Charismatic Charismatic LeaderLeader

CharismaticCharismatic

PopePopePopePope

EpiscopalianEpiscopalian

PresbytersPresbytersPresbytersPresbyters

PresbyterianPresbyterian

The CongregationThe CongregationThe CongregationThe Congregation

Congregational

Congregational

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Degree of Integration Into Society

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Level Of Bureaucratic Structure

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Membership Through Natural Reproduction And Socialization

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Size – Stability - Longevity

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Focus On Personal Conviction Over Doctrine/Dogma

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Degree of Integration Into Society

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Level Of Bureaucratic Structure

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Membership Through Natural Reproduction And Socialization

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Size – Stability - Longevity

LowLow HighHigh00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88

Focus On Personal Conviction Over Doctrine/Dogma

A Sect Is BornA Sect Is Born

What Do You Do When Your Current What Do You Do When Your Current Religious Organization Isn’t Working For Religious Organization Isn’t Working For

You?You?Drift From Organized Religion (Apostasy)Drift From Organized Religion (Apostasy)

Affiliate With A Similar Religious Group That Meets Your Affiliate With A Similar Religious Group That Meets Your Needs (Denominational Switch)Needs (Denominational Switch)

Split Your DenominationSplit Your Denomination

Grab Your Family And Friends And Start A Sect!Grab Your Family And Friends And Start A Sect!Back To The BasicsBack To The Basics

Born In Protest Out Of DeprivationBorn In Protest Out Of DeprivationCompensation In Lieu Of TreatmentCompensation In Lieu Of Treatment

Are Cults Just “Power Are Cults Just “Power Platforms” Dressed Up Platforms” Dressed Up

In Sect Clothing?In Sect Clothing?How Do Sects Become “Cults”?How Do Sects Become “Cults”?

Emphasis on “the new” rather than return to “the old”Emphasis on “the new” rather than return to “the old”

Charismatic leadership Charismatic leadership (divinity, revelation, revolution, trust and love)(divinity, revelation, revolution, trust and love)

Strong devotion/commitment to the group . . not just the Strong devotion/commitment to the group . . not just the doctrinedoctrine

Commitment-strengthening oppressionCommitment-strengthening oppression

A Sect Dies OrA Sect Dies OrChanges FormChanges Form

If A Sect Doesn’t Die – A Sect GrowsIf A Sect Doesn’t Die – A Sect Grows1. The organization becomes successful and recruits more people.2. More people means more diverse backgrounds.3. Diversity of backgrounds reduces the common values/experiences

that started the sect.4. Central goals and values shift.5. Subgroups form around similar ideas.6. Consensus becomes harder to come by. Democracy fails.

Bureaucracy is born. Charisma becomes “routinized”7. High-status people become leaders8. The sect becomes a denomination

1. The organization becomes successful and recruits more people.2. More people means more diverse backgrounds.3. Diversity of backgrounds reduces the common values/experiences

that started the sect.4. Central goals and values shift.5. Subgroups form around similar ideas.6. Consensus becomes harder to come by. Democracy fails.

Bureaucracy is born. Charisma becomes “routinized”7. High-status people become leaders8. The sect becomes a denomination