Author: Katie E. Corcoran (West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia)

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ABSTRACT

Most research on congregational membership dynamics focuses on recruitment or commitment with considerably less attention paid to congregational or denominational exit. I propose that human capital theory, typically used to theorize employee turnover, can also predict membership turnover in voluntary associations, including religious ones. Members in voluntary associations learn their association’s organizational culture, knowledge of which is a form of capital that makes participation in the organization more enjoyable and thereby increases an individual’s likelihood of remaining with the organization. Because some organizations have similar cultures, organizational cultural knowledge may be transferable to other organizations. I argue that individuals who have more organizational cultural knowledge specific to their organization should be less likely to leave, because they maximize their capital by remaining where it can be used. To test these hypotheses, I use survey data from current and past members of twelve congregations. The findings support the hypotheses and contribute to research on religious capital and member retention.