A majority of the American laity has switched congregations at least once in their adult lives, and more than two-thirds of U.S. congregants have previously attended a different congregation (Schwadel in Rev Relig Res 54(4):543–54, 2012). In contrast to religious tradition switching, we know little about the individual-level correlates of congregational switching. In this paper, we provide a framework for understanding congregational switching that emphasizes the role of congregational legitimacy in a social context of expressive individualism, the “spiritual marketplace,” and a competitive religious field. This social context leads to evaluations of congregations according to individually defined spiritual needs and meaningful interpersonal relationships. The salience of religion to the individual, for example, makes the link to a particular congregation more precarious as individuals seek the best fit for their perceived religious and spiritual needs. Using the 2006 and 2012 Portraits of American Life Surveys, a national panel survey of U.S. adults, we find that meaningful social ties, religious salience, leadership roles, meeting perceived religious and spiritual needs, and views of congregational decision-making influence switching. These factors remain even after accounting for residential mobility. We draw implications for theories of religion and understandings of congregational dynamics.

中文翻译：

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寄予厚望时代的会众转换

大多数美国平信徒在成年后至少换过一次会众，超过三分之二的美国会众以前参加过不同的会众（Schwadel in Rev Relig Res 54(4):543-54, 2012）。与宗教传统转换相比，我们对会众转换的个人层面相关性知之甚少。在本文中，我们提供了一个理解会众转换的框架，该框架强调会众合法性在表达性个人主义、“精神市场”和竞争性宗教领域的社会背景中的作用。这种社会背景导致根据个人定义的精神需求和有意义的人际关系对会众进行评估。例如，宗教对个人的显着性，使与特定会众的联系更加不稳定，因为个人寻求最适合他们感知的宗教和精神需求。使用 2006 年和 2012 年美国生活肖像调查（一项针对美国成年人的全国小组调查），我们发现有意义的社会联系、宗教显着性、领导角色、满足感知的宗教和精神需求以及会众决策的观点会影响转换。即使考虑到住宅流动性，这些因素仍然存在。我们对宗教理论和会众动态的理解产生影响。领导角色，满足感知的宗教和精神需求，以及会众决策影响转换的观点。即使考虑到住宅流动性，这些因素仍然存在。我们对宗教理论和会众动态的理解产生影响。领导角色，满足感知的宗教和精神需求，以及会众决策影响转换的观点。即使考虑到住宅流动性，这些因素仍然存在。我们对宗教理论和会众动态的理解产生影响。