Implementing Strategic Religious Engagement in International Development

Figures & data

Table 1 Types of Religious Organizations.

Type of organization	Characteristics
Congregations	Religiously organized groups of people whose primary purpose is to worship together, including churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, and home groupings.
Local associations, charities and faith networks	Religiously inspired organizations whose primary purpose is to collect and distribute alms in the local community and carry out one-way or mutual aid.
Socio-cultural organizations	Religious organizations whose primary purpose is to promote and provide cultural activities like sports, festivals, education, and arts.
Development and humanitarian NGOs	FBOs whose primary purpose is to provide development and humanitarian aid.
Missionary organizations	Religious organizations whose main purpose is to spread and strengthen commitment to their religion or denomination by seeking converts, educating existing members and promoting orthodoxy.
Universities, schools and research centers	Religious organizations whose main purpose is to spread knowledge and research for religious and/or secular purposes. They may include specific institutions dedicated to training of future religious leaders
Religio-political organizations	Religious organizations whose primary purpose is to gain or influence formal political power.
Religio-military organizations	Religious organizations whose purpose is to use armed force to bring about religio-political objectives.
Apex organizations	These are the doctrine setting, command and control organizations in a religious community.
Intra-religious representative councils and networks (also termed ecumenical)	Umbrella organizations within the same faith whose purpose is to represent, coordinate, and mobilize people and organizations in common cause.
Inter-religious networks and alliances	Coalitions of organizations from different faiths coming together to seek understanding or act in common cause.