The Secularization of Sunday

Real or Perceived Competition for Churches

Bibliographic Data

ID4234036
AuthorsSteve Mcmullin (Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University, 15 University Avenue, B4P 2R6, Wolfville, NS, Canada), Steve L Mcmullin (Acadia University, corresponding author)
Year2013
Volume55
Issue1
Pages43-59
Publication date2013-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Religious Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2211-4866 • E-ISSN: 0034-673X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s13644-012-0089-7
OpenAlexW1994170259
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited12

In a survey of pastors and members of 16 declining congregations in the US and Canada, respondents most commonly identified competing Sunday activities as the primary reason for the decline in Sunday worship attendance. The repeal of "blue laws" that kept stores closed on Sundays has resulted in many more people working or shopping on Sundays, and children's athletic activities are often scheduled on Sunday mornings at the very time when many churches traditionally have provided religious education. Based on a study of 16 mainline and conservative Protestant congregations in decline, this article considers the effect-both real and perceived-of the secularization of Sunday on congregations with declining worship attendance

Advertising · Attendance · Business · Church attendance · Competition (biology) · Political science · Protestantism · Religiosity · Repeal · Secularization · Sociology · Worship · Law · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Religious studies