Description
Book SynopsisAn ethnographic study of faith-based poverty relief programs in 30 congregations in the rural south.
Trade ReviewThe book provides a thorough historical overview of the events that led up to the Bush administration's decision to promote faith-based social welfare. This thoughtful book is a useful addition to the growing literature on the subject and should be widely consulted. * Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare *
Well-written and clearly organized. * Journal of Social Services *
Provides important insight into the manner in which federal support of faith-based poverty relief initiatives affect religious identity in the Golden Triangle Region of rural Mississippi. * Journal of Church and State *
A wonderful book and a great piece of original research. I not only found the work insightful, but it was interesting all along the way. Bartkowski and Regis are bright new stars! -- Bob Wineburg,Jefferson Pilot Excellence Professor, UNC Greensboro and author of A Limited Partnership: The Politics of Religion Welfare and Social Service
Bartkowski and Regis get behind the rhetoric about church-based social services in this timely examination of on-the-ground realities as seen by Mississippi clergy. Perhaps the most important lesson in these pages is how strongly race shapes even religious efforts to aid the poor. Charitable Choices helps us understand why this is so. -- Mark Chaves,University of Arizona
Table of Contents1 The Welfare Revolution and Charitable Choice 2 Social Welfare and Faith-Based Benevolence in Historical Perspective 3 Faith-Based Poverty Relief: Congregational Strategies 4 A Tale of Two Churches: United Methodists in Black and White5 Debating Devolution: Pentecostal and Southern Baptist Perspectives 6 Invisible Minorities: Transnational Migrants in Mississipi 7 Street-Level Benevolence at the March for Jesus 8 Charitable Choice: Promise and Peril in the Post-Welfare EraAppendix: Milieu and Method
