Another Day's Journey : Black Churches Confronting the American Crisis

by Franklin, Robert M.

• ISBN13: 9780800630966
• ISBN10: 0800630963
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-09-01
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Pub

Summary

A call to arms for the churches, Franklin's book urges direct engagement by African American and other churches with America's mounting social problems. Bringing informed and astute analysis of the urban scene, the national picture, and the ways of black churches, he details programs that really work to salvage the "wasted treasures" of black urban youths -- as well as programs for children, elders, and economic action. Practical concerns, for example, how churches can find public and private resources to aid their efforts, are presented, as well as suggestions for renewing the imperiled church itself. The capstone is Franklin's vision of an activist Christian commitment that can model fellowship and reconciliation. Raised in an urban, working-class setting, with many years of experience in and with the churches, Franklin combines in this work the conviction of a public moralist with the dedication and savvy of an urban churchman.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
1. Beginnings The Making of a Public Theologian	1	(28)
A Safe Place
Cultivating Religion
Education, Chicago-Style
Joys and Terrors
Beyond Parochialisms
Journeys Abroad and Within
Theological Bearings
Learning What Works
2. Safe Havens The Culture of Black Congregations	29	(24)
The Ecology of the Black Church
The Spiritualities of the Black Church
The Social Witness of the Black Church
3. The Tempest The Black Church since the Civil Rights Movement	53	(30)
Declining Significance of Denominationalism
Church and Community Conflict
The Afrocentric Aesthetic
Exposing Gender Tensions
The Decline of Black Folk Preaching
The Rise of Word Churches and the Teaching Sermon
Innovations in Congregational Culture
Challenges and Opportunities
New Black Clergy and Their Moral Agenda
4. Exodus and Return Redeeming Prodigal Youths	83	(18)
Wasted Treasures
Crisis in Spiritual Identity
Crisis of Institutional Participation
The Exodus of Men
Return of the Exodus Men
Lessons from the Million Man March
Youth Programs That Work
5. Resources for the Long Haul Public-Spirited Partnerships	101	(18)
Religion and Foundations
Five Levels of Faith-Based Community Activity
The Prophetic Imperative
Lessons Learned from Foundation-Church Partnerships
What to Remember When Seeking Foundation Support
Assessing Programs and Proposals
6. Vision for the Journey New Ministers for Renewed Congregations	119	(10)
Searching for Diamonds
Renewing American Society
Notes	129	(4)
Index	133