Sociological Group Matrix

Schaefer (2011) defines a group as “any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis” (p. 111). Complete the Social Group Matrix by identifying and describing the relationship between yourself and the members of any social group you are a part of.

Group description Identify the group.	A group that I am apart of is my church family.  We see each other every Sunday at church, at bible studies, and church functions.  For instance, we are holding a community Easter egg hunt the Saturday before Easter.  We all believe in God and desire to increase the intimacy of our relationship with Him.
Social group or organization Describe the function of the social group.	The function of our group is to actively participate in learning and growing in the Spirit and in truth.  By studying the bible, preparing and hearing sermons, and discussing our experiences with God we come to know Him better.  Our function is to grow in heart knowledge of God instead of simply head knowledge.  We also serve our community in any way we can, like serving food to the homeless.
Authority and hierarchy Describe authority and hierarchical patterns within the group.	The main pastor has much of the control as well as the associate pastors.  The administrative assistant keeps contact with the church members in order to help each of the families involved in the church.  The deacons are there to serve families in any way they can, whether it be by prayer or preparing a meal for a new mother.   There are monthly business meetings so that all members of the church vote on particular things like how the money is spent.  There is a hierarchical pattern, but the church members have a say in how the church is run, unlike many other hierarchies.
Social patterns Describe social patterns you might find within the group, and explain their social significance.	The children go to children’s church as well as children’s bible study.  Since babies are not yet ready to learn, they go to the nursery while their parents attend church services or bible studies.  Teenagers go to youth group on bible study nights.  Youth group also organize a mission every summer called world changers.  They do fundraisers to prepare for their week-long trip.  They advertise and recruit adults to go with them to serve others in another state.  The elderly women have their own Sunday school class.  Everyone is welcome to come, but it is only elderly women who attend.  There is no social pattern for adults on Wednesday night bible study.  On Sunday there are two services.  One is traditional and the other is contemporary.  The elderly often attend the traditional service because it is what they are used to.  Younger people go to the contemporary service where more modern songs are sung and lyrics are displayed on a projector.
Conflicts Describe any conflicts within the group.	Conflicts arose when our new pastor was hired twelve years ago.  There were things that he changed that many of the members did not like.  Before, the deacons were the primary administrators of the church.  The business meetings were established and all church members were able to vote on decisions.  He also allowed women to become deacons.  As many churches believe that men should be the only ones allowed to become a deacon, our church allows women, which causes conflict between church members.  When a new deacon is anointed the pastor gives a sermon on biblical women deacons, but there are always people who are going to disagree.  There are political disagreements and demonic disagreements.  There are people on each side of politics which can cause a conflict within any group.  Overall I think we are a very united church.
Role of language Explain the role of language, and describe the components of nonverbal communication in the group.	The role of language within the church is that we all speak the same spiritual language.  There are two types of language, verbal or written, and nonverbal communication.  An example of verbal communication would be if I were to say the, “church” to everyone in my group would know that I was talking about.  On the other hand, if I were to go to Israel, I would have to say the “temple mount” for them to know what I was talking about.  An example of nonverbal communication would be during church services when people raise their hands up in the air.  If the pastor is preaching a sermon and someone raises their hand, it means that they are agreeing with the pastor, kind of like saying Amen after something he says.  During song praises someone raising their hand shows that they are connecting to the lord and singing directly to Him.
Symbols meaningful to group Describe and explain symbols that are meaningful to the group.	The cross is a symbol for all Christian groups.  This symbol represents the fact that Jesus died on the cross so that we can be redeemed from our sins and have eternal life with our Father in Heaven.  Communion is other symbol my church family participates in.  During church services once a month we go through the process that Jesus went through with him disciples.  First He gave thanks for the break and broke the bread into two pieces.  Then he took the goblet of wine and said that the wine represented him blood.  As my church family gets in line to receive communion we break off a small piece of bread and dip it into grape juice.  Many of us go to the altar and pray, thanking Jesus for taking on our sins and shedding his blood to redeem up.
Norms, sanctions, and values Describe the norms, sanctions, and values of the social group.	Norms in our church consist of a few different things.  For instance, the two different services consist or their own norms.  The members who attend the traditional service dress up in their nicest attire.  Members who attend the second, contemporary, service wear jean and nice shirt.  Some people wear kakis and dress shirts or dresses.  When is comes to sanctions within the group, there is expectations of different people depending on where they are on the hierarchy.  I have never seen anyone disciplined or banned from the church for any behavior, but then again I have not seen any behavior worth being disciplined for.  There are unwritten rules to be followed, but as Christian we know the ten commandments and those are the rules we live by within the group. As Christians we share similar values.  We all love the Lord and wish to please Him.  We enjoy serving each other and our community.  I would say that love as the Lord loves is our desire for our group.
Status within group Describe what status you hold in the group.	I would describe myself as a regular member of the church.  I set in the second pew with my parents and aunt.  God is also blessing the church with a women’s ministry through me.  I do not like to take credit for it, because I could not have accomplished what has been accomplished through this ministry on my own.  I am a vessel in which God is using to minister to the women of the church.  I am looked at as the head of the women’s ministry, but I see myself as a member of the church, a member of the bible studies, and a member of the women’s ministry.
Social role within group Describe the social roles you perform in the group.	As the head of the women’s ministry I get up in front of the church members and announce any new events or studies we will be doing in the future.  I have established a core group of four women including myself.  We meet every so often to keep the group on course.  I write up inserts to put in the bulletins that are handed out on Sunday mornings as well as facilitate the meetings we do have.  I keep the group on track by asking specific questions to keep us on topic, and to fit everything we need to cover in a short amount of time.
Sociological perspective Suggest which major sociological, theoretical perspective would be most appropriate for future study of your social group. Why?	I would say that the functionalist theoretical perspective would be a great topic for the study of our church in the future.  I would like to know how integrated and unified we are a a church body and a church family.  Personally, I think that we are all friends and welcoming to any outsider. Once trust is developed between members of the church they feel comfortable enough with each other to go beyond the superficial smile that most church-goers have.  The superficiality of church going people is also something that I would like to see further researched.

Reference

Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Sociology: A brief introduction (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.