Church Administration in the Black Perspective (Revised Edition) (Book)
Floyd Massey Jr., Samuel Berry McKinney, Authors.  Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2003.

Floyd Massey and Samuel Berry McKinney, both long-time pastors, hold that the challenge for historically black churches in our time is addressing the needs of their congregants in ways that are effective and efficient on the one hand, and humane and loving on the other. This book focuses on balancing the need to develop structure and accountability with the need to exercise flexibility and creativity in administrative systems.

The authors start by examining the relationships between and among pastors, lay leaders, and church members. They then explain the nuts-and-bolts of budget creation. A central part of the book explores the effective use of websites, electronic newsletters, and other forms of information technology for maximizing church outreach. And the structure, implementation, and evaluation of programs are discussed in three chapters.

Massey and McKinney direct much of their thought to African-American Baptist churches. The African-American history of disenfranchisement—as well as the long denial of African-American access to mainstream society—have been the contexts in which historically black churches have evolved. For decades, the black church has been the only institution where African Americans have exercised control. Within this tradition, the notion of autonomy from a central authority, coupled with the liberation imperative—both spiritually and physically—has created a unique culture within which to apply basic management systems.

This book will be of particular value to administrators and other leaders in historically black churches who seek an administrative "how-to" manual that balances needs for structure with needs for flexibility.

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