African American families

James B Logan

The focus of this research project was on key factors for sustainable family ministry programs. He wished to discover the current best practices being utilized by effective family ministries as well as to identify major threats facing families, especially the black family.The author used four case studies as the research method in this project. This research project met but did not exceed the expectation of identifying key factors for sustainable family ministry programs that: (a) regularly address the unique needs of single parent households; (b) approach domestic violence through vehicles of education, counseling, or referrals; and (c) conduct annual evaluations.

Roosevelt Walker

The purpose of the project was to impact the ability of a select group of African-American married couples to address their core longings by leading them through a formational counseling small-group experience. The project was intended to effect the spiritual, emotional, mental, and behavioral well-being of its participants as individuals and spouses. The participants assessed the project's impact using a pre-test and post-test questionnaire based on the Likert scale model. Results indicate that participants were impacted relative to each project goal. However, participants' cognizance of core longings and identifying of wounds stemming from core-longing deficits proved most impactful.

Paul B Cofer

The problem this project addressed was a need to retain African American males in churches in West Philadelphia. Qualitative research in grounded theory was the method used to gather, analyze and interpret the data. The weft QDA software was used to organize and analyze the data. Some of the issues identified: the family, single parents, fatherlessness and the church. Five key solutions were developed: relationship wiith God, restoring identity, restoring the family, restoring the church and transforming the culture.

Willie J Bailey

The project sought to educate substance abusers of Camillus House Social and Personal Adjustment Center, located in Miami, Florida, on how the multigenerational disease of addiction is passed on. This project promotes a public health approach to the treatment of substance abuse by treating the family rather than the individual. Five sessions using an impromptu skit and four didactic sessions educated the abusers about the roles family members play in dysfunctional families. Data suggested an increase in knowledge regarding family roles but no change in beliefs about the importance of involving family members in treatment.

Robin Dease

The tradition of inherited land possession is as old as the biblical story. African Americans are losing their heirs' property on John's Island at an alarming rate. The story of Naboth's vinyard (I Kings 21) serves as a model to discuss the effects that wealth and those with social power have on this land loss. The author uses articles, reports, and books on the history of African Americans in the gullah culture provides a biblical understanding of land possession, and challenges the church to practice faithful Christian stewardship in order to reverse this land loss.

Lewis L Anglin

This thesis reflects the author's understanding of the family as a system, and examines marriage with an overview of the different theories of marriage therapy, including a presentation of the scholarship that informs an understanding of the family from a systemic perspective. The author presents a theology of marriage and a biblical perpective of marriage, employing an integrative approach to Christianity and psychotherapy. The author also discusses various family therapies, in particular the cognitive behavioral appraoch with an analysis of cultural influences on the therapeutic process, with particular focus on the African American family context.

Trevor Evan Oreggio

No abstract.

Frances Murphy Draper

The purpose of this project was to implement a biblically-based premarital counseling model for engaged couples at the John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Baltimore, Maryland, in an effort to stem the tide of high divorce rates and low marriage rates among African Americans. The results of pre-post tests, as well as group sessions, indicated that participants' understanding of and attitudes about marital relationships were enhanced. As a result, the church held a marriage consecration service and also was selected to participate in a peer learning network designed to promote healthy relationships among low-income families.

Menson E Mpofu

No abstract.

James A Lewis

This project proposes a plan of action to strengthen African American families by empowering African American males, testing it with members of New Testament Missionary Baptist Church (Columbus, Ga). Based on an assessment of needs among the couples and families participating, the project prepares and presents sermons on family issues, classes addressing self-esteem and identity, and a marriage conference emphasizing resolution of conflicts. The process heals broken families, salvages marriages, and produces new relationships.