Work

Walking Together Differently: Empirical Insights into Emerging Church Communities in Hungary

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the transformation of communities within Christian churches in late-modern and postmodern social contexts. As a theoretical foundation, it presents changes in the concept of community, with a particular focus on the role of religious communities. Emphasis is placed on community as a social and spiritual resource and on the possibilities for reorganising churches. Three national case studies—an urban Reformed congregation, a small-town Catholic parish, and an ecumenical pilgrimage community—will be used to illustrate the functioning, challenges, and responses of church communities. This research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the results highlight the power of community retention, the importance of personal relationships, and spiritual depth. This study also highlights the theory that the key to church renewal lies in rethinking and consciously building community forms. Digital space, personal networks, and spiritual needs are calling for new models for the church.

Source: Religions

DOI: 10.3390/rel16091125

Authors: Márta Katalin Korpics, Lajos Kovács, Balázs Siba

Institutions: Ludovika University of Public Service, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary

Language: English

Topic: Contemporary Christian Leadership and Education

Subfield: Religious studies

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172

OpenAlex ID: W4413895231

FWCI:

Cites: 28

Cited by:

Related to: 10