Mathematical modeling of church growth

Mathematical modeling of church growth

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Article ID: iaor2005660
Country: United States
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Start Page Number: 255
End Page Number: 292
Publication Date: Jan 1999
Journal: Journal of Mathematical Sociology
Authors:
Keywords: simulation: applications
Abstract:

The possibility of using mathematics to model church growth is investigated using ideas from population modeling. It is proposed that a major mechanism of growth is through contact between religious enthusiasts and unbelievers, where the enthusiasts are only enthusiastic for a limited period. After that period they remain church members but less effective in recruitment. This leads to the general epidemic model which is applied to a variety of church growth situations. Results show that even a simple model like this can help understand the way in which churches grow, particularly in times of religious revival.

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