Does the black church in West Virginia speak with a prophetic voice?: a sociological analysis of the black church as an agent for social change

Author

James Lewis Patterson

Date of Award

2001

Degree Name

Sociology

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.A.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Kenneth Ambrose

Second Advisor

Lynda A. Ewen

Third Advisor

Leonard J. Deutsch

Abstract

This research examines the function of the black church in African American Society in general, and its function in the African American community in West Virginia in particular. Determining what the black church sees as its overall mission is my primary concern. Specifically, the research examines the relationship between themes that emerge from black pastor’s personal ministry philosophies, and themes that appear in priestly ministry and prophetic ministry. Determining whether the black church views its primary mission as (priestly) caring for the spiritual needs of its congregation, or (prophetic) calling for changes in societal structures that foster oppression and racism in the African American community is the purpose of this research. As part of the prophetic conceptualization, the research will also look for churches that implement social programs that address problems in their communities. The relationship between pastoral ministry philosophy and programmatic trust of the churches will also be explored.

Subject(s)

African American churches – West Virginia – Sociological aspects.

Religion and sociology.

Recommended Citation

Patterson, James Lewis, "Does the black church in West Virginia speak with a prophetic voice?: a sociological analysis of the black church as an agent for social change" (2001). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 1781.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/1781