Black Church Culture, Social Programs and Faith-Based Policy: Using Organization Theory to Reconcile Rhetoric and Reality

This empirical study applies competing theories of organization culture to examine policy assumptions about the Black church's role in providing faith-based social programs. Findings refute conventional wisdom by showing that, on average, Black churches have few social programs; denomination marginally predicts the number and types of programs offered; and congregations typically offer a narrow range of social programs that are not directly aligned with faith-based policy goals. Results further show that congregations offered 38 different types of programs, reflecting a broad range of community needs to which churches are responding. Mixed findings suggest limitations of extant theories when applied to faith-based organizations, highlighting the need for research to understand how repertoires and routines become part of their culture.