Long March Ahead
Book Description
Drawing from comprehensive research involving nearly two thousand congregations nationwide, this illuminating study examines how African American churches have navigated their role as agents of social change in the decades following the civil rights era. Through careful analysis of the Public Influences of African American Churches project, scholars and religious leaders explore the evolving landscape of faith-based activism across multiple spheres of public policy.
The book reveals how these spiritual communities have engaged with pressing social issues including educational reform, healthcare access, welfare policy, women's rights, and international justice movements. Rather than offering abstract theories, the work grounds its insights in real-world case studies that demonstrate the practical intersection of faith and civic engagement. Readers will discover how congregations mobilized to influence college admission policies, how urban ministers partnered with law enforcement to address community safety, and how churches positioned themselves within broader political movements.
This scholarly yet accessible exploration offers valuable perspectives for anyone seeking to understand how spiritual institutions can serve as catalysts for meaningful social transformation. The research illuminates both the possibilities and complexities that arise when religious communities step into the public square, providing a nuanced view of faith-based advocacy that extends far beyond traditional worship settings.
For those interested in the relationship between spirituality and social justice, this work provides concrete examples of how religious conviction translates into community action.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 239 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Kerk en maatschappij
- ✓ Explore Christianisme et politique
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Bürgerrecht
- ✓ Explore Politik
- ✓ Explore Burgerrechten
- ✓ Explore Histoire
