Perspectives 36 SOCIAL SERVICES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONGREGATIONS IN THE WELFARE REFORM ERA

From slavery to the present, African-American congregations have provided for both the spiritual and social welfare of their members and communities. With public policy initiatives such as Charitable Choice1 and the White House Faith Based Initiative, policymakers are expecting African-American congregations to play an even greater social service role in many urban communities. Some scholars have suggested that African-American congregations respond differently and more comprehensively than non-African-American congregations to the needs of their communities (Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990; Billingsley, 1999)—a response largely due to their distinct evolution within a racially segregated society and a reluctant welfare state (Quadagno, 1994). This comparative study of African-American, interracial, and white congregations explores the extent to which African-American congregations have a unique niche as social service providers. Findings of this study will help us better understand the service delivery role of African-American congregations in the welfare reform era. Over the last thirty years, scholars have called into question the continued centralit