Overview

This text attempts to provide knowledge about congregational life and its ability to play a key role in social service provision in the US. Based on in-depth interviews with clergy and lay leaders in 251 congregations across the US, it reveals the many ways in which congregations are already working, beneath the radar, to care for people in need. This study should provide much-sought empirical data to social scientists, religious studies scholars and those involved in the debates over the role of faith-based organizations in social services, as well as to clergy and congregation members themselves.

Full Product Details

Author:   Ram Cnaan ,  John DiIulio
Publisher:   New York University Press
Imprint:   New York University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.476kg
ISBN:  

9780814716182

ISBN 10:   0814716180
Pages:   329
Publication Date:   01 August 2002
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

I An Overview of Congregations 1 Congregations in Society 2 The Historical Development of American Congregations II Congregations Involvement: Empirical Findings 3 The Congregations in Our Study 4 Congregational Involvement I: Areas of Involvement 5 Congregational Involvement II: Characteristics of Service and Financial Value 6 Which Congregations Tend to Get Involved 7 Comparing Neighbors: Canada and the U.S.A. III Congregations for Society: Additional Studies 8 Small-Town Congregations: The Case of Council Grove, Kansas 9 Mediating Structures: The Greater New Orleans Federation of Churches 10 Social Ministry in the Community: The Case of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church and Urban Bridges IV Concluding Remarks 11 Volunteerism and Organized Religion 12 Why and How Congregations Get Involved in Service Delivery 13 The Congregational Norm of Community Involvement 14 The Broader Perspective: Congregations for Society and Beyond

Reviews

The first systematic and comprehensive social science description of social service contributions of diverse religious congregations. . . . Could not be more timely] or useful to academic and religious community audiences which now seek credible 'handles' for accessing and understanding this newly exposed but surprisingly extensive faith based contribution to human welfare in the United States. --,

The first systematic and comprehensive social science description of social service contributions of diverse religious congregations. . . . Could not be more timely] or useful to academic and religious community audiences which now seek credible 'handles' for accessing and understanding this newly exposed but surprisingly extensive faith based contribution to human welfare in the United States. --, - Edward Newman, Temple University

<p> The Invisible Caring Hand represents an excellent addition to studies focused in understanding the role of local churches in their community. - Sociology of Religion ,

Author Information

Ram Cnaan is Professor in the School of Social Work and former Associate Director of the Center for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is also the founder and director of the Program for the Study of Organized Religion and Social Work. He is the coauthor of The Newer Deal: Social Work and Religion in Partnership.

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