Cynthia Woolever
Professor of Sociology of Religious Organizations

M.A., Ph.D. (Indiana University)

Specialization:
Sociology of Religion, Voluntary Organizations, Urban Sociology


contact:
email: woolever@hartsem.edu
phone: (860) 509-9545
fax: (860) 509-9551

Bio. and interests
Curriculum Vitae
Online Writings
Courses Taught

 
 
"I read Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions at a time in my life when I was ready to accept the notion of constructed knowledge. It was my first introduction to the ways values, religious meaning, and paradigms profoundly affect our pursuit of knowledge and "truth." It was the beginning of my commitment to reflect on the "objective" as a whole person, especially as a person of faith."
 
 
 
Biographical Sketch and Interests

Since 1996, Cynthia Woolever has worked in the Research Services office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as associate for congregational research before joining the Hartford Institute faculty in the fall of 2003.  She was professor of sociology at Midway College in Midway, Kentucky, for eight years, where she also was director of the Center for Christian Church Organizational Research. Prior to that, she was an associate professor in the Sociology Department at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma.

In 2001, Cynthia directed the U.S. Congregational Life Survey. About 300,000 worshipers in more than 2,000 congregations in the United States completed a survey during worship services while worshipers in Australia, England, and New Zealand completed similar surveys. Together, the international effort included about 2 million worshipers and 17,000 congregations across three continents.

The survey included Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Buddhist, Unitarian and Protestant denominations. Its purpose was to develop resources to help congregations better understand themselves, identify their strengths, assess their ministries and relate more effectively with their communities.  

She published “A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations,” with co-author Deborah Bruce, in 2003, “Beyond the Ordinary: Ten Strengths of US Congregations,” in 2005 and is working on a third book with Bruce on regional factors related to congregational life.

Cynthia's research has focused on three areas -- voluntary organizations, sociology of religion and congregational studies – and has been multi-faith.

As a member of the Hartford Seminary faculty, she is looking forward to being part of a faculty team that engages students and the public in important conversations.  “One of the things I admire about the faculty is their consistent and courageous willingness to cross boundaries --- whether it’s faith groups, nations, gender, race/ethnicity, community, academic disciplines --- that normally keep us from seeing clearly.”

For more information on the Congregational Life Survey, visit the website at www.uscongregations.org.


Courses Taught:

D.Min. Colleague Seminar I   


For more information on these Hartford Seminary courses, send an email to:  courses@hartsem.edu.