Is the Leadership in the Black Church Complicit in the Perpetuation of Dominance and Oppression?
Abstract: This dissertation investigates the relationship between church leadership and parishioners and hypothesizes that the leadership in the black church is complicit in the perpetuation of dominating and oppressive behaviors within the communities that are directly and indirectly served by the church. Chapter I chronicles socio-economic patterns in black church leadership from the time of slavery to the 21st Century and documents probable reasons and purposes for the behaviors of leaders. Issues concerning power and dominance, denominationalism, racism, classism, and sexism are integral to the investigation. Two central questions arise: (1) “Does the religious leadership of the black church unknowingly train congregations to internalize negative feelings, connotations, and behaviors regarding critical reflection, critical thinking, and critical questioning.” (2) “Is this lack of critical questioning detrimental to a forward movement of liberation and social justice for African Ame
