Jesus’s Social Network: Understanding the Relational Dynamics surrounding Jesus’s Life and Ministry - Part 2
January 10, 17, and 24: Three-part series on Jesus’s Social Network: Understanding the Relational Dynamics surrounding Jesus’s Life and Ministry, presented by Jennifer McClure, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religion at Samford University and Congregational Research Strategist
January 10, Introducing Jesus’s Social Network: Support, Conflict, and Compassion
January 17, Digging Deeper into the Structure of Jesus’s Social Network
January 24: Jesus’s Social Network and the Four Gospels: Exploring Similarities and Differences across the Gospels
Jennifer McClure is a sociologist of religion whose work focuses on churches, synagogues, and other local congregations. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from Penn State University. Her professional interests include religious congregations, prosocial behavior (volunteering, charitable giving, etc.), social psychology, social networks, and statistics. She teaches courses that integrate social scientific insights with ministry preparation: church dynamics; faith development; conflict, change, and misconduct in ministry; Christian faith and community service. Her research projects focus on Jesus’s social network (i.e., the relational dynamics surrounding His life and ministry); social networks and relational patterns among congregations in central Alabama; church-based ministries that encourage people to more deeply understand and live out their callings.
McClure consults with congregations and ministers, especially in the areas of understanding community demographics. She also develops congregational resources with the Association of Religion Data Archives (www.thearda.com) and works closely with the Center for Congregational Resources at Samford University.