Examines the interaction of church, school, and family in the African-American community. Using a holistic perspective and data from an ongoing, nationwide, multiyear study of church-sponsored family-oriented community outreach programs, the results indicate that the church is a powerful ally for the Black family. (JB)

A dialogue is presented, which highlights the meaning of success as a Black man. C. Lee's Black Manhood Training Model is discussed, which was developed as a group counseling experience in a school setting for 13- to 17-year-old Black boys to address the challenges of Black male development. (SLD)

Argues that the act of worship can become an act of resistance against the hegemony of a dominant culture. Maintains that congregational life offers the possibility to awaken people's discontent, foster skepticism toward prevailing assumptions, articulate ethical alternatives, and develop readiness for struggle and change. (MJP)

Uses participatory ethnography to interview lay persons about the role of religion and the church in personal meaning-making. Probes the motives that call people to theology, the theological methods people use, how people engage in religious knowing, and how the church helps these efforts. Suggests shortcomings in present religious education. (DSK)

This article details the work of the Birmingham Initiative, a Methodist inspired, ecumenical research project that operated in Birmingham, in the West Midlands of the United Kingdom between 1995 and 1999. As the Christian Education Development Officer employed by this project, the author undertook doctoral research among twenty-six inner-city,…

Designed to provide volunteer, religious education teachers with several tools to increase attendance at early morning religious classes and counteract student absenteeism, the study developed a computerized roll and record keeping system, taught new teaching skills and methods, instructed the teachers to make personal contact with absentees…

This document reports on a conference that addressed the involvement of the National Council of Churches of Christ/USA in literacy education in North America, at which literacy program participants, national leaders in literacy education, church leaders, and international literacy delegates described their successes and struggles. The first…

This paper addresses the educational implications of a unique Canadian program of refugee immigrant support and integration--private sponsorship. Individual Southeast Asian refugees and their families are financially supported by groups of five or more private individuals. Many such groups are affiliated with Christian church congregations. The…

Catholic charities and church groups have been actively engaged in providing basic shelter needs for homeless people long before the issue of homelessness came to the national attention. The purpose of this hearing was to allow the U.S. Catholic Conference and its Domestic Policy Committee to present its report, "Homelessness and Housing: A…

The Indiana Plan for Adult Religious education is a tested framework of action and training within which an effective adult education program can evolve. The plan is intended to help people in the understanding of and service to God. It aims to: stimulate adults to recognize that some of their religious education needs can be met through…

The volume begins with a discussion of the dynamic nature of small group processes and, more specifically, with how the group might develop social concerns, religious awareness, its own discipline, and the stimulation of individual growth. Group methods for work with junior high youth, senior high youth, young adults, and parents are reviewed.…

The question of the evaluation of the impact of religious education is important for three reasons: (1) it is of fascinating theoretical interest to learn what are the effective means of transmitting fundamental values and what are the ineffective means; (2) it also seems appropriate to evaluate the contribution of religion to the improvement of…

Drawing from Public/Private Ventures (P/PV's) five years of hands-on experience designing and implementing Amachi programs around the country, "Building From The Ground Up" describes best practices for planning, developing and managing a mentoring-children-of-prisoners program. This guidebook is essential for learning the professional procedures,…

The work of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Education in the Inner City, a church-related organization in Salford, England, is described. The role of religion in the formation of social and spiritual values is discussed, with emphasis on the needs of those in urban, multicultural settings. (PP)

Since 1978, the Diocese of Oakland, California, has operated the Family Aid-Catholic Education (FACE) program, which raises funds from local businesses and philanthropic organizations to provide partial tuition assistance to deserving low income families and to offer supplemental funding for innovative programing to inner-city Catholic schools.…