Investing in Resilience
A Comparative Study of Black Church Survival in Underserved Detroit
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3304789 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Charles E Williams (0009-0009-6595-7130, University of Michigan, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pages | 1182 |
| Publication date | 2025-09-14 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/rel16091182 |
| OpenAlex | W4414183820 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
This study examines how theological orientation and institutional culture shape the viability of two historically Black churches in Detroit: Historic King Solomon Baptist Church and Greater King Solomon Baptist Church. Against the backdrop of accelerating church closures in underserved Black communities, the research investigates the factors that contribute to a congregation's continued relevance and vitality. In doing so, it also provides insight into which churches are best positioned to sustain and scale health and interventions, support community development, and offer enduring spiritual leadership. Using a comparative case study approach grounded in W.E.B. Du Bois's framework of the Black church as a site of "refuge and protest" and Max Weber's theory of religious institutionalization, the research combines qualitative interviews with pastors, members, and community residents, alongside sermon content analysis from Easter and Christmas services in 2023 and 2024. Findings reveal stark differences: Historic King Solomon exemplifies an outward-facing, justice-centered model rooted in social memory and public service; Greater King Solomon reflects a more inward-facing, survivalist ethic shaped by individual piety and institutional maintenance. These distinctions impact each church's resilience, as well as its readiness for public health partnerships and social investment. The study concludes that Black churches that are outwardly facing are likely to survive socioeconomic environmental challenges. Concurrently, both churches portray the Black church as two distinct entities culturally and theologically, which suggests an enhanced selection rubric for identifying congregations best positioned to advance social and health community outcomes
Black church · Community development · Community organizing · Critical race theory · Piety · Public health · Qualitative research · Rubric · Sermon · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
The southern diaspora
The promised land
Religion in the Lives of African Americans
Race and the Power of Sermons on American Politics
The Black Church in the African American Experience
We’ve Come This Far by Faith
Role of Black Churches in Health Promotion Programs
Health Programs in Faith-Based Organizations
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Church Culture as a Strategy of Action in the Black Community
Black Church Culture and Community Action
The souls of black folks
Race, Religion, and Black Lives Matter
Race and ethnic differences in religious involvement
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |