Race Differences in Congregational Social Service Activity

Abstract

This article uses data from the 1998 National Congregations Study, a survey of a representative sample of 1,236 religious congregations in the United States, to examine the social service activity of African-American congregations. The first goal is to explore the question of whether African-American religious congregations participate more (or less) than other congregations in social service provision in general. Then, the focus shifts to specific types of social service programs in order to determine if African-American congregations tend to specialize in the provision of certain types of services. The rates at which congregations support nine different types of social service programs are reported, and participation in programs is then subjected to logistic regression analysis. Significant race effects for African-American congregations exist for four types of programs: clothing, substance abuse, tutoring/mentoring, and nonreligious education. These findings, particularly the effect on education and mentoring programs, counter the assertion by Lincoln and Mamiya (1990) that African-American congregations are not doing enough in areas that are critical to African-American youth.

Congregations in Low-Income Neighborhoods and the Implications for Social Welfare Policy Research

“…In fact, the results of our model challenge as much as they confirm the applicability of other studies' findings to congregations in low-income neighborhoods. We failed to confirm that congregation membership size significantly influences social service activity, which is inconsistent with the most rigorous research (Chaves & Tsitsos, 2001;Tsitsos, 2003;Wuthnow, 2004). Also, similar to Cnaan (2002), we found a negative but insignificant relationship between membership size and social service activity.…”

“…A central concern of the literature on congregations as social welfare providers is identifying the predictors of social service activity (Chaves, 2004;Chaves, Giesel, & Tsitsos, 2002;Cnaan, 2002;Tsitsos, 2003;Wuthnow, 2004). Holding other factors constant, scholars consistently observe that congregation membership size and income, along with congregation social class, determine the provision of social services by congregations as well as the number of services they provide and their programmatic coverage (Chaves, 2004;Chaves & Tsitsos, 2001;Cnaan, 2002).…”

“…Rigorous quantitative analyses, however, do not identify it as a significant determinant of social service provisions by congregations, even if African American congregations are more likely to engage in certain types of social services than other congregations (Chaves & Tsitsos, 2001;Tsitsos, 2003;Wuthnow, 2004). 7 Religious tradition, especially liberal Christian tradition (i.e., mainline Protestant congregations adhering to liberal theology), also may determine social service activity (Chaves & Tsitsos, 2001;Tsitsos, 2003;Chaves et al, 2002). Studies do not consistently show that it influences social service activity (Cnaan, 2002;Wuthnow, 2004).…”

Trends in Addressing Social Needs: A Longitudinal Study of Congregation-Based Service Provision and Political Participation

“…Additional research has examined how participation in service-related activities varies by congregations' religious tradition, ethnoracial composition, and theological orientation [3,4,[17][18][19][20]. Most of these studies indicate that evangelical Protestant congregations are the least likely to participate in service-related activities, while theologically liberal congregations are the most likely to participate.…”

Faith-Based and Community Initiative

“…Typical social services include (1) food, housing, and clothing; (2) marriage counseling; (3) counseling services to address abuse, either domestic or substance-related; (4) tutoring and mentoring services; (5) child care; or (6) language classes (Cavendish, 2000;Chaves & Higgins, 1992;Hangley & McClanahan, 2002, February;McCarthy & Castelli, 1998;Pipes & Ebaugh, 2002;Tsitsos, 2003). These services are an expression of the tenets of religious organizations that encourage compassion for those in need and promotion of social justice (Gibelman & Gelman, 2003).…”