Historically, the Black church has played an important role in the social and economic life of the Black community. Currently, the church, often in partnership with the federal government, provides both moral and economic impetus for the economic redevelopment of urban areas. (GC)

The paper discusses the functions and activities of the World Council of Churches (WCC), particularly in connection with combating racism and poverty. The hypothesis is that policy makers interpret religious organizations such as the WCC as models of international communications in microcosm. Specific model functions of the WCC are identified.…

Project SPIRIT, a Carnegie Corporation sponsored program of the Congress on National Black Churches, has worked within the black community, particularly black churches, to try to strengthen black families. Black churches have played a critically important role in sustaining the black family since the days of slavery. The black church in the 1980s,…