Black megachurches and the provision of social services: An examination of regional differences in America

Abstract

In many African American communities, the church and the clergy are often the preferred providers of many social services. The growth of the Black megachurch fueled this trend and expanded the range of services offered by professionals hired by the church, including social workers. The purpose of the current study is to examine regional differences among social service offerings in Black megachurches (defined as a Protestant congregation sustaining an average of 2,000 or more people in its weekly worship services). The study found that Black megachurches advertised a wide range of services to meet the complex needs of the communities they serve. Black megachurches in the South were less likely to advertise social advocacy services than churches located in other regions of the United States. The findings have implications for social work practice, policy, and research.