Abstract
The religious identity of both worshippers and congregations is not static, due to a changing context. Do congregational members believe, belong and engage in the same way as they did previously, or is it possible to track certain changes? Two Congregational Life Surveys were conducted in 2006 and 2010 among the membership of Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) congregations. The two surveys suggest that attenders prefer a private expression of their religion in which the Bible plays an important role. They have a strong bond with the congregation, but the preferred role of the congregation is to provide in the spiritual needs of the attenders. The engagement with the community is not so important for the attenders; in fact, the majority of them are not involved in the community. They value what the congregation does in the community, but personal involvement does not receive much attention. The biggest challenge for the reformation of a religious identity for both the membership and congregations of the DRC is to be more contextual and engaged in their social environment and culture. The two surveys suggest a movement in the opposite direction.
Highlights
Identity describes who I am and who we are: both are socially formed and influenced by religion
The two Congregational Life Surveys (CLSs) suggest that attenders prefer to privately express their religion, in which the Bible plays an important role
An emphasis on a growing spirituality is, part of the attenders’ individual and private religious identity. They have a strong bond with the congregation, but the preferred role of the congregation is to provide in their spiritual needs
Summary
Identity describes who I am and who we are: both are socially formed and influenced by religion. The religious identity of both worshippers and congregations is not static; this is not possible in a fluid and transforming context (Joubert 2013:116-117). This article aims to seek changes in the formation and redefining of religious identity in reformed congregations and among their membership. “Understanding a congregation requires understanding that it is a unique gathering of people with a cultural identity all its own” (Ammerman et al 1998:78). Part of this article was delivered by the author as a paper (“Exploring identity and community in congegrations: A perspective from South African congegrations”) at the ISSR conference in Tirku, Finland, on 27-30 June 2013.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
