Description
Book SynopsisAmerican religious professionals occupy a prominent role in shaping the interests and attitudes of their congregations. Djupe and Gilbert analyse national data from a survey of over 2400 Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America clergy, looking at their motivations for political action.
Trade ReviewThis is a very perceptive book—especially its attention to the dynamic interplay between clergy, their congregations, and the broader community. The authors write clearly and support their arguments with an unprecedented array of data and evidence. The Prophetic Pulpit focuses on clergy politics, but also illumines the broader issues of religion and American politics. -- Daniel J. B. Hofrenning, St. Olaf College
This is an outstanding book, full of important and path-breaking findings about the full range of factors that drive clergy's decisions about taking political action. Djupe and Gilbert show that the external contexts in which clergy live and work have profound ramifications for their attitudes about political engagement. -- Laura R. Olson, Clemson University
Djupe and Gilbert are to be commended for a path-breaking study that challenges numerous stereotypes of mainline clergy activism and that paves the way for more sophisticated scholarship in the field. * Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion *
In this fine book, Djupe and Gilbert provide an exemplar for future studies of clerical politics in the United States. This nuanced, methodologically sophisticated study will give pause to those who are too quick to relegate the Protestant Mainline to the political sideline. -- Ted G. Jelen, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Table of ContentsChapter 1 List of Tables and Figures Chapter 2 Clergy, Churches, and Communities Chapter 3 An Overview of ELCA and Episcopal Clergy Chapter 4 Congregational Resources for Clergy Political Action Chapter 5 Communities of Concern: The Context of Clergy Political Activity Chapter 6 The Political Voice of Clergy Chapter 7 Leaders of the Flock or Lone Rangers? Clergy in Electoral Politics Chapter 8 The Local Political Participation of ELCA and Episcopal Clergy Chapter 9 Sending a Message to Government: Clergy Conventional and Unconventional Contacting Chapter 10 Denominational Politics: Clergy Opinions and Actions Regarding Full Communion Chapter 11 Conclusion: The Evolution of Clergy Political Activity Chapter 12 Coding of Variables Used Chapter 13 Methodological Notes Chapter 14 References
