1. Types of Religious Organizations
Churches, Sects, & Cults
Types of Religious Organizations

2. Ecclesia
Denominations
Church
A formal religious organization that is well integrated into the larger society.
Sect
Denominational Sects
Institutionalized Sects
A religious organization that stands apart from the larger society.
Cult
A religious organization that is substantially outside of the cultural traditions of society.

3. Organizational Forms Pope Presbyters Charismatic Leader
Episcopalian
Presbyters
Presbyterian
Charismatic Leader
Charismatic
The Congregation
Congregational

4. Cult Sect Church Low High 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Low High 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Degree of Integration Into Society
Low
High
Level Of Bureaucratic Structure
Low
High
Size – Stability - Longevity
Low
High
Membership Through Natural Reproduction And Socialization
Low
High
Focus On Personal Conviction Over Doctrine/Dogma

5. Cult Sect Church Low High 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Low High 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Degree of Integration Into Society
Low
High
Level Of Bureaucratic Structure
Low
High
Size – Stability - Longevity
Low
High
Membership Through Natural Reproduction And Socialization
Low
High
Focus On Personal Conviction Over Doctrine/Dogma

6. A Sect Is Born
What Do You Do When Your Current Religious Organization Isn’t Working For You?
Drift From Organized Religion (Apostasy) Affiliate With A Similar Religious Group That Meets Your Needs (Denominational Switch) Split Your Denomination Grab Your Family And Friends And Start A Sect! Back To The Basics Born In Protest Out Of Deprivation Compensation In Lieu Of Treatment

7. Are Cults Just “Power Platforms” Dressed Up In Sect Clothing?
How Do Sects Become “Cults”?
Emphasis on “the new” rather than return to “the old” Charismatic leadership (divinity, revelation, revolution, trust and love) Strong devotion/commitment to the group . . not just the doctrine Commitment-strengthening oppression

8. A Sect Dies Or Changes Form
If A Sect Doesn’t Die – A Sect Grows
The organization becomes successful and recruits more people.
More people means more diverse backgrounds.
Diversity of backgrounds reduces the common values/experiences that started the sect.
Central goals and values shift.
Subgroups form around similar ideas.
Consensus becomes harder to come by. Democracy fails. Bureaucracy is born. Charisma becomes “routinized”
High-status people become leaders
The sect becomes a denomination