Politics in the Pews: The Political Mobilization of Black Churches (The Politics of Race and Ethnicity)

A shepherd and his sheep. Although this familiar analogy may apply to a pastor's spiritual leadership, it doesn't accurately describe his role as a political leader. He can encourage and inspire through his own political involvement; he cannot prod an unwilling congregation into action.As Eric McDaniel demonstrates in his study of Black congregations in the U.S., a church's activism results from complex negotiations between the pastor and the congregation. The church's traditions, its institutional organization, and its cultural traditions influence the choice to make politics part of the church's mission. The needs of the local community and opportunities to vote, lobby, campaign, or protest are also significant factors.By probing the dynamics of churches as social groups, McDaniel opens new perspectives on civil rights history and the evangelical politics of the twenty-first century. "Politics in the Pews" contributes to a clearer understanding of the forces that motivate any organization, religious or otherwise, to engage in politics. This title examines the factors underlying the political mobilization of Black churches.