The Black Church: A Valid and Viable Approach to Solving Public Policy and Community Problems

This paper addresses aspects concerning the validity (appropriateness and viability) of the Black church as a potential for micro-systemic change agent in relation to macrosystemic (public and\or social policy) goals. Featured are: (1) a historical summary of the First Amendment of our Constitution, provided to empower what will be defined as an autonomous interpretation of the issue of church-state separation. The historical analysis of the First Amendment to the Constitution includes a discussion of its origins as found in the state of Virginia's statute addressing religious freedom. As well a prototype, the city of Denver, Colorado, is introduced (2) summarizing the black church's potential as a partner with or alternative to the provision of such services by the public sector. This prototype is augmented by a general discussion of the role of the black church in its community.