In this case study, we bring together literatures on identity and culture to examine the boundary work taking place within the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI), a historically conservative denomination with a fundamentalist orientation toward Christian belief and practice. Our findings demonstrate that boundaries are subject to deviation—and even intentional alteration—at the local level. We introduce the concept of “self-effacing boundary work” to describe a strategy that deemphasizes exclusionary group practices and beliefs while simultaneously seeking to retain a unique group identity. Organizational leaders and idioculture play key roles in this process.

中文翻译：

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“人看外表，神看内心：”高境界宗教的包容与认同

在这个案例研究中，我们汇集了关于身份和文化的文献，以检查在联合五旬节教会国际 (UPCI) 内部进行的边界工作，这是一个历史上保守的教派，具有对基督教信仰和实践的原教旨主义取向。我们的研究结果表明，边界在地方一级会发生偏差，甚至是故意改变。我们引入“自谦边界工作”的概念来描述一种策略，该策略不再强调排他性的群体实践和信仰，同时寻求保持独特的群体身份。组织领导者和特质文化在这一过程中发挥着关键作用。