Whatever You Did For the Least of These Brothers of Mine, You Did For Me: a Study of the Differences Between Religious and Secular Community Development Organizations.

Authors

Elaine Jansen, The College of Wooster

Abstract

This study examines the differences that exist between religious, faith-based, and secular community development organizations. For the purpose of this study, community development organizations were defined as social agencies that promote the welfare of individuals and families in the community through programming, outreach, and other services. Data was collected through interviewing staff and volunteers at a faith-based organization, a religious congregation, and a secular community organization in Ohio. Questions addressed the programming, daily operations, benefits to the community, limitations, and client impact at each organization. Results suggest that faith-based and religious agencies differ from secular agencies in how they advertise services, the recruitment and use of volunteers, how employees viewed their work and each other, and the personal motivation of staff members. The overall differences were not as prominent as expected based off of previous literature, but the differences do exist. Further research could include a wider variety of agencies, and should pose additional questions about religiosity and motivation to the staff members at secular organizations.

Advisor

Clayton, R. Bruce

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Recommended Citation

Jansen, Elaine, "Whatever You Did For the Least of These Brothers of Mine, You Did For Me: a Study of the Differences Between Religious and Secular Community Development Organizations." (2009). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 1159.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/1159

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Religion | Social Psychology and Interaction

Publication Date

2009

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis