- Collection:
- Interdenominational Theological Center Theses & Dissertations Collection
- Title:
- The role of the black church in a marginalized community - analyzing a mobile food bank ministry, 2019
- Date of Original:
- 2019
- Subject:
- Academic theses
Theology--Study and teaching
Theological seminaries - Location:
- United States, 39.76, -98.5
United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798 - Medium:
- theses
dissertations - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Ecclesiological scholars have agreed that the role of the church should reflect the ethics of Jesus Christ, which makes it clear that the church is called to reach beyond its walls and serve those in need. In Luke 4:18, Jesus’ decision to echo the words of Isaiah 61: 1-3, suggests the church was empowered because the “Spirit of the Lord” found “upon Jesus” also rests upon the Black Church. Imbued with power from the Holy Spirit, the church has the power to transform lives and communities. Therefore, the primary goal of this project report is to implement a mobile food bank ministry that will address the food insecurities and other food poverty conditions within Douglasville, GA and the surrounding communities. By implementing a mobile food bank ministry, not only will the members of the community’s hunger needs be addressed, but there will be both physical and spiritual transformation for the community and the volunteers, which includes members of St. James AME Church. Throughout this project report, the term “Black Church” will be used as a theological and sociological reference to the host of African-American Christian Churches operating within the United States and serving those that constitute the majority of the African-American Community. With the introduction of new biblical theologies in the 21st century, such as Prosperity Gospel and the like, it appears that the role of the Black Church has changed. Research suggests that the spiritual and physical purpose of the Black Church has been modified or hijacked by these crudely dressed non-biblical theologies that seemed determined to pull listeners and participants out of the Black Church’s most guarded resources of faith in Jehovah (God), spiritual beliefs in Christ, and the command to “love their neighbor, as they love themselves.” Although, the Black Church was birthed historically out of the “Invisible Institution,” a history of slavery and oppression, its premise appears solidified. The Black Churches are solidified today as one of the few institutions providing economic, financial, and spiritual empowerment solutions in marginalized communities. In this project report, attention was given to the Black Church, God, scripture, and man. Furthermore, this project report will reveal the importance of the Black Church to the community which it serves. Three focus groups, consisting of pastors, members of St. James AME Church, and community stakeholders was consulted for their insights. Understanding that the Black Church is operating in the absence of government welfare and not as an alternative to it, the researcher will further document the need for the Black Church to remain an engaged institution within its community to teach and speak truth to power.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/itc_etd:2019_hale_keenan_d
- Language:
- eng
- Original Collection:
- Interdenominational Theological Center Theses and Dissertations
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-
