Religious networks are sources of high social capital which formed along side the influence of theological and religious belief, creating an inherent emphasis on bridging the social capital developed to the communities around the religious network, resulting in civic engagement.

Simply put, social capital can be categorized as the ‘resource’ developed within a network of individuals whom interact and trust one another. Practical examples of social capital manifested on a micro level are examples such as: neighbors borrowing a cup of sugar, lending a vehicle to a close friend, etc. Examples on the macro level can manifest themselves as: rules of driving, holding the door.

Bridging means individuals moving beyond the boundaries of their ‘home’ network, and moving toward networks different and outside of their normal social network. The opposite of bridging is bonding social capital. Beyelein and Hipp (2005) describe bonding as “Bonding social capital consists of network structures…