ABSTRACT
The current relationships among work, family, and the church in the African-American community can be captured in the late Thomas Dorsey's highly favored hymn, “Precious Lord.” The petition, “Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light,” reflects the current social and economic realities facing black families and their current need for leadership from the black church. African-American families are experiencing a storm, and this storm is one of the most significant challenges facing the black church. Observing the depths of the present family crisis, the Carnegie Foundation asked directly, “Black Churches: Can They Strengthen the Black Family?” 1 Given the historical reputation of black churches as the centers and bulwarks and the most critical empowering and mediating institution in the black community, the fact that such questions are being asked points to the changing nature of the society, the changing relationship of black people to the society, and the new and unanticipated pressures facing families.
