The Mark of Zion

"Authors Stephen Rasor and Michael Dash of The Interdenominational Theological Center faculty arc uniquely prepared and positioned . . . Grounded in practical wisdom from their years of personal experience, scholarly research, and oversight of ministerial students, they have given us a truly and immanently useful report on African American congregational life at the new millennium. "Rasor and Dash record the views of leaders in 1,863 congregations in the black church tradition. Here for the first time, we can sec the similarities between black churches and other major religious movements throughout the nation . . . In this profile we also see the bold uniqueness of the black church tradition, its energy and tenacity across generations and throughout America." --from the Foreword In The Mark of Zion: Congregational Life in Black Churches, the companion book to The Shape of Zion: Leadership and Life in Black Churches, Rasor and Dash propose that the black experience in America offers a significant presence in the religious landscape of contemporary American society. In rural, urban, storefront, and mega-churches, African American congregations foster an inward journey of spiritual growth and an outward journey of community outreach. To illustrate their thesis, the authors--based on data supported by the Gallup poll--explore African American congregational life from four perspectives that include: a profile of black congregational life from a national perspective; an example of a local church setting that illustrates some aspect of that national profile; assistance to churches in considering the applicability of the profile and local example to their experiences; and an invitation for churches to consider future ministry in the light of these findings and the challenges that arise from this exploration.

Stephen C. Rasor is a researcher for the Institute for Black Religious Life at The Interdenominational Theological center in Atlanta, Georgia. He is co-author of Hidden Wholeness: An African American Spirituality for Individuals and Communities. Michael I. N. Dash is an ordained United Methodist minister and Professor of Ministry and Context at The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He is co-author of The Shape of Zion: Leadership and Life in Black Churches and Hidden Wholeness: An African American Spirituality for Individuals and Communities.

Michael I. N. Nash received his DMin from Boston University. An ordained United Methodist minister, he is associate professor of ministry and context at the Interdenominational Theological Center. He is co-author of Hidden Wholeness: An African American Spirituality for Individuals and Communities (United Church Press, 1997).