Choice Review

This is an ethnographic study of Dacula, Georgia, an exurb of Atlanta, and its religious ecology. Focusing on how the religious congregations (all Protestant) of a particular town adapted to a rapid influx of newcomers, this book makes a significant contribution to sociological literature, in an interesting narrative style. Since the late 1980s, white families have moved to Dacula, seeking lower housing costs, quality education, and traditional family values. Eiesland (Emory Univ.) uses a model of social ecology to understand how religious congregations have adapted. She tells the story of Hinton Memorial United Methodist Church, which experiences a schism, recovers, and struggles to integrate the values and lifestyles of old-timers with those of newcomers. One chapter contrasts the values and perspectives of a family of long-time members with those of a family new to the church. Another chapter examines how this church responded to conflict issues in the community. Throughout, the story of Hinton Memorial is seen in relationship to that of Hebron Baptist, which has become a megachurch. Eiesland's work is the perfect complement to that of other major contributors in the field, such as Robert Wuthnow, Wade Clark Roof, William McKinney, David A. Rootzen, Jackson Carroll, and Nancy T. Ammerman. All readership levels. ; Saint Joseph College