The Black Church in the Post-Civil Rights Era

by Anthony B. Pinn

Overview

This brilliant snapshot of the Black Church today puts a spotlight on its vibrant worship, its approach to doctrine, and its role in social activism.

Pinn describes themes in the history of the Black Church as well as the major beliefs and forms of worship that define this tradition. He then focuses on the practices of the Black Church, especially as it has engaged in issues of economic development and justice, and struggles with such issues as the full inclusion of women, sexuality, and health. Throughout, Pinn highlights the important and creative tension between "spiritual" and "mundane" concerns to which the Black Church must respond and by which it is shaped.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570754234
Publisher:	Orbis Books
Publication date:	04/28/2002
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.50(d)

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	vii
	Note on Terminology	ix
	Introduction	xi
Part I	Historical and Theological Background
1	Themes in Black Church History, 1864 to 1970	3
	The Church and Its Relationship to Africa	4
	The Great Migration and Religious Diversification	7
	The Black Church's Social Gospel: Jesus and Jobs	10
	The Church and the Civil Rights Movement	13
	The Black Church on Black Power	14
2	Themes in Black Church History, 1970 to the Present	17
	The Black Church in Decline, 1970s-1980s	18
	The Failed American Dream and Church Growth--1990s	27
	1970s-1990s: Growth and Decline?	34
	Burnings! A Late-Twentieth-Century Challenge to the Church	35
3	Beliefs and Worship in the Black Church	37
	What the Church Believes	37
	Worship as Celebration of Belief	46
Part II	Themes in Contemporary Praxis
4	The Black Church on Economic Issues	73
	Community Economic Development	74
	Poverty and Environmental Racism	82
5	The Black Church on Health and Sexuality	94
	Illicit Drugs	95
	HIV/AIDS	95
	The Black Church, Health, and Health Care	96
	Health Care on the Congregational Level	101
	Sexuality and Homophobia	105
6	Sexism and Church Ministry	116
	Black Women and Auxiliary Work	117
	Women as Ordained Ministers	120
	Womanist Theology and the Critique of Sexism	131
7	Future Considerations: Technology and Megachurches	133
	The Megachurches	135
	Impact of the Megachurch Phenomenon	136
	Chronology	141
	Notes	145
	Selected Resources	161
	Academic Books	161
	Popular Literature	165
	Encyclopedias	166
	Journals and Periodicals	166
	Documentaries	168
	Internet Resources	168
	Index	171