Date: Thu, 9 Oct 1997 12:29:09 -0500 (CDT)
Message-Id: <199710091729.MAA16915@plains.NoDak.edu>
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To: socgrad@csf.colorado.edu,
        Sociology Graduate Students -- International <socgrad@csf.colorado.edu>
From: kharmel@plains.NoDak.edu (Kaye Boeke)
Subject: Re: Promises, Promises, Promises
I know this from experience to be true.  A number of men from my in-laws
church in central Minnesota attended a rally last year (?) in the twin
cities.  When they returned, it was pretty clear that if you didn't attend,
you were a "bad husband," or at least, lacking in commitment to your
wife/family.  It was also clear that these men saw themselves as the leaders
of the congregation.  Instead of drawing in the other men to learn about
something that they found so spiritual, they totally alienated them.


>These men form strong social bonds with one another, and
>when leadership positions open up, they look from within their small
>group to fill these vacancies.  
>         This results in already very conservative congregations adopting
>an even more conservative agenda.  Those who are outside the Promise
>Keepers clique have little chance of influencing policy within the
>church.  It also results in fewer women being in leadership positions.   
>
>Karen L.McKinney
>Ph.D. candidate
>University of Minnesota
>klmckinney@juno.com
>
>
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Kaye D Boeke, Graduate Researcher      phone: (701) 231-7980 
North Dakota State Data Center         FAX: (701) 231-9730 
IACC 424E, NDSU                        email:  kharmel@plains.nodak.edu 
Fargo, ND 58105                        home phone: (701) 293-9255
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"Fargo. It's flat... but it's cold" (seen on a hat at Zandbroz Variety)
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