The Organizational Context of Faith-Based Community Organizing: Effects on Member Civic Engagement

Abstract

This article explores the congregation as a conduit for civic engagement. Specifically examined are the effects of participation in congregations engaged in faith-based community organizing (FBCO). Civic engagement is examined by comparing FBCO-affiliated congregation members to non-FBCO-affiliated congregation members, local school participants, neighborhood association members, and those without such affiliations. Findings reveal that those engaged in FBCO evidence higher rates of civic engagement than members of the other groups. Implications for the field and future study are discussed.

Keywords:

• Civic engagement
• congregations
• community organizing

Notes

1. See (PICO Network, n.d.) for a brief contrast of PICO method to single-issue organizing.

2. The term “civic engagement” is used here to refer to the process of working collaboratively through groups (Fawcett et al., 1995). Empirically this measure is synonymous with term community engagement, and these phrases are sometimes used interchangeably.