The Elusive Dream

Abstract

Abstract This book looks at how churches attempt to realize Dr. King's dream of racial integration. Recognizing that race is central to the organization of American life, the book situates race theory at the heart of understanding the cultural and social dynamics of racially integrated congregations and how they attract and retain members. The book, focusing on black–white interracial churches, argues that for these organizations to sustain a racially diverse congregation they must primarily appeal to whites. African‐Americans will need to affirm whites' religious and cultural predilections to retain white membership and bear the brunt of the sacrifices required to make racial integration work. In the end, interracial churches end up reproducing the racial structures they purport to oppose. The compelling stories that unfold in this book expose the tenuous nature of interracial churches and the barriers they need to overcome to realize the dream.

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