Invisible Saints: A Study of Black Americans in the Reorganized Church

In Invisible Saints I have attempted to deal with racial matters within the church from two perspectives. The first from the perspective of a largely white, American-based church which has tried, oftentimes unsuccessfully, to be equitable to the black race while trying to establish a position of legitimacy and acceptability among America mainstream religions. That it could not always satisfy these two goals has been a source of frustration and shattered expectations for black and white members alike. This is essentially institutional view in which leaders look from the top of the hierarchy down toward the general membership. I also try to view the situation from the perspective of black church members who tried to function as a largely ignored minority in an overwhelmingly white, middle-class, American religious institution. Both levels of perspective have their advantage and liabilities. My intent has been to capitalize on the advantages in each and minimize the liabilities.