Seeding the Vision: Symbolic Convergence Theory and Aimee Semple McPherson

Abstract

Popular movements come and go. A few of them begin and never really go away. How are these lasting movements to be explained? Using symbolic convergence theory (SCT), this article examines the religious movement started by Aimee Semple McPherson in the 1920s. The author argues that over the years communicators have narrowed a useful theory—Ernest Bormann's symbolic convergence theory—too much, and as a result have foreclosed a helpful explanation about how movements might be created and sustained over a long period of time. A key facet of SCT in lasting social movements is the ability for ordinary people to take ownership of a part of the movement and, if need be, influence the actions of the larger group.