A New Model for the Pentecostalization of Religion and Society in Paraguay and Chile

Pentecostalization is the combination of Pentecostal numerical growth, Pentecostal influence on other religions, and Pentecostal impact on the rest of society. The paper conceptualizes Pentecostalization as a unique instance of broader processes, which I catch in a single model: the actor-church-society triangle. This model distinguishes different hierarchies of perceived interests at three levels of analysis: the individual actor, the religious organization, and society, each influenced in turn by each other as well as by globalization.

Religious interests and decisions of the individual actor follow the dynamics of the conversion careers approach I developed earlier. My conceptualization of the religious organization follows my earlier church growth model. Churches are driven by two main interests: dealing with pluralism and achieving growth by competing for members with other religious organizations. Both interests encourage the religious organization to get more involved in the mass media, politics, and the family. The model is then applied to analyze the case of the Pentecostalization process in Paraguay and Chile.

All interested are welcome!