Congregational Social Services: Are Black and Non-black Alike?

Ram A. Cnaan
School of Social Work
University of Pennsylvania
3701 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.898.5523
FAX: 215.573.2099
cnaan@ssw.upenn.edu
Stephanie C. Boddie
Jill W. Sinha
Problem: With the passage of Charitable Choice in 1966 and the formation of the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives it is clear that public policy is pushing toward local and faith-based social services provision. One area about which we know almost nothing is the capacity and involvement of minority-based congregations in providing social services. Hence, we asked whether black congregations are capable of providing social services at the rate and scope of non-black congregations.

Methods: Based on a three-year census of congregations in one large city, we surveyed 1,600 of the estimated 2,050 congregations. Trained interviewers visited each congregation for a three hour face-to-face interview with clergy or an informed lay leader. Written reports and documents were collected to triangulate data.

Findings: Of the 1,600 congregations in our sample, 87% reported at least one community service program.  The average number of programs per congregation was 2.33 (2.40 for black and 2.25 for non-black congregations). Black congregations were more involved in the provision of the following programs: mentoring; health education; substance abuse; sex education; sickle- cell anemia; safe corridor; summer camps; adult tutoring; computer training for youth; business incubation; and investment clubs.

Only 7.4% were familiar with Charitable Choice. Nevertheless, 60.2 percent of the congregations indicated their willingness to accept public money (65.5% for black and 54.4% for non-black congregations).

For all congregations in Philadelphia, the estimated annual replacement value would be $230,018,400. Black and non-black congregations did not differ significantly.

Implications: While black congregations show an impressive involvement in social services provision they cannot be seen as a replacement to the public commitment to help those in need. New projects carried out in the city show that volunteers can be marshaled, but that even a large number of volunteers are not sufficient in combating urban blight and serving needy people.