Recently I was asked my view about the introduction of the faith-based and community initiative. The question was intended to be provocative, in that it was asked by someone not at all convinced that this was a good thing. I responded that certainly one could argue about the details of why this initiative was proposed and the contextual politics, but that I choose to see it as an incredible opportunity for public discourse. When I conducted my studies of religious affiliates during the 1980s (Netting, 1982a, 1982b, 1984a, 1984b, 1987, 1991), faith-based provision of services had not yet captivated the national agenda. Although the Reagan Administration was proposing that churches should take a more active role in caring for the poor in their communities, the complexity of this seemingly simple proposal had not yet been fully realized. Even under the Clinton Administration, the Charitable Choice provision in the welfare reform act was merely one piece of a controversial debate. However, with the introduction of the faith-based and community initiative, the topic riveted the nation’s attention as a centerpiece of the Bush Administration’s early days. It is heartening to be at this stage of my career, looking back on the concept of religious affiliation in light of the faith-based debate. No matter where one stands politically, no one interested in religion or human services can escape the dialogue. And after years of being fascinated by the complexity of the situation, it is worth the wait to see others engage the issues as well.