The Least of These: Black Church Children’s and Youth Outreach Efforts

Abstract

This study examines Black Church efforts to attract and assist children and youth based on Faith Factor 2000 Project data for seven denominations. Bivariate and ordered logit results show denominational differences in the usage of dance, drama, and gospel rap music and the greater tendency for more prophetic churches to incorporate these expressions believed to attract the young. However, priestly rather than prophetic functions are relatively more likely to influence programmatic efforts to assist the young, but sometimes in counter-effective ways. Keywords Black Church . Youth . OutreachIn their groundbreaking study, The Black Church in the African-American Experience, Lincoln and Mamiya (1990) present a dialectic model that places the Black Church 1 between prophetic and priestly functions. Priestly functions focus on the spiritual or "other worldly" dimensions of religious life; its prophetic opposite positions the Black Church as an agent of change. Both functions can exist in churches. Yet Lincoln and Mamiya (1990) contend that fundamentally different appropriations of religion occur based on the dominant function. Literature suggests, regardless of dialectic dictates, the tendency for Black churches to sponsor youth and children-focused programs (Billingsley 1999;DuBois 1903;Lincoln 1984;Mays and Nicholson 1933). Yet some scholars are critical of what they consider to be the Black Church's inability to attract and retain young persons (Lincoln and Mamiya 1990;West 1993).This study seeks to determine whether and how the contemporary Black Church implements events and programs to attract and assist the young and the degree to J Afr Am St (2008) 12:97-119

“Church” in Black and White: The Organizational Lives of Young Adults

“…In fact, Christerson et al [22] note that African-American teenagers were among the least likely to approve of picking-and-choosing from within own's faith or across different religious traditions. Barnes [38] also notes that youth programming has long been a standing feature within black churches and that they have often developed creative programming options, including in some cases dancing, drama, and gospel rap music.…”

“…Urban black neighborhoods have more than their share of people at the socio-economic margins, and those people who have achieved or are trying to achieve middle-class status are more precariously perched there than are white families. This is where religion matters most for promoting positive outcomes for young people [38,42,44]. Precisely where young people are disadvantaged, religious involvement can make the biggest difference in their capacity to take advantage of opportunities and skirt dangers.…”

Improving Literacy Through Instruction and Community Experiences: : The effect of a summer program on literacy outcomes of students from low Ses homes

“…It is well-recognized that literacy is an area in which students from low SES homes demonstrate a learning loss during the summer months (Allington et al, 2010). As such, a summer literacy program located within a community-based organization may decrease summer literacy loss for students from low SES homes; however, there is currently insufficient research on such programs (Barnes, 2008). Thus, the efficacy of summer programs designed to improve literacy skills provided by local community groups and church ministries should be examined.…”

“…For many years, summer programs for neighborhood children have been provided by local community groups and church ministries (Barnes, 2008). Approximately 65% of historically Black church congregations documented providing programs specifically geared toward the younger generation for the better part of the last century (Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990;Mays & Nicholson, 1933).…”

“…Approximately 65% of historically Black church congregations documented providing programs specifically geared toward the younger generation for the better part of the last century (Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990;Mays & Nicholson, 1933). Barnes (2008) described the wide variety of program types offered by these churches, including: Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, youth "at risk" programs, childcare, tutoring and athletics. Thomas, Quinn, Billingsley and Caudwell (1994) reported that of the church sponsored programs in the northeastern United States, 82% had working relationships with local schools.…”