Process Action Project: on the African American Community in Rockdale Texas: What Is the Role of the Church in Resolving Social Issues

By Dr. Keith Gavin

The socioeconomic issues that are embedded in rural communities have to be analyzed and explored to better understand the social issues within that community. The surmountable issues, which are identified in this community of Rockdale, have to be investigated and reported to the stakeholders in that community. Therefore, being a nonparticipant/observer to the issues in the community. The information that was gathered help to alert the pastors and the community leader of the issues that are overlooked in the community, which they may have not fully understood or being numb to the situations and issues within the community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524512941

Dr. Keith Gavin

Rev Dr. Keith Gavin Born in Historical Rochester NY Worked with Ron Thomas, who was a former city council member within the city of Rochester NY. I volunteered with the NAACP, chapter in Rochester NY, under the leadership of Pastor Novell Goff, the Pastor of Barber AME church? Helped Rev. Goff in viewing over 175 cases and interviewed 75 physical cases daily. Made court appearances, helped to dispose of a 6 yr. murder case having the case revoked to be overturned from 25 yrs to life to 1 day, resulting in the man and his family giving their lives to Christ, working on a rape case, which resulted in the case being dismissed. Also, the Greater Rochester area dealt with enormous discrimination cases throughout the city. Spent 16 years in Army reserves, 3 years special Operations Civil Affairs. Returned to active military duty, served additional 7 years to complete 23 years in the military. Transferred my ministerial affiliation to Anderson chapel AME church in Killeen Tx. While under the leadership of Pastor Walter MacDonald and under Pastor William Campbell, served several years in the Social Action Committee, also helped to hold, the 1999 mayor, city school, and city council, forum with the NAACP Chapter of Killeen. Designed and developed a new measure for the Child Support system, for over 2 yrs. to better help the community. Developed & Created the United Black Afro-American Ministries, in TX, 2002. Served three years in Special Operations 94-97, two tours in Iraq, 2003-04, then returned 2004-05, returned to continue the fight for the disinherited. Completed two years of college in six months to finish his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts Degree, received the degree from Excelsior College. Have a Diverse Major in Sociology & Psychology & Religion? Graduated twice from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; Master of Arts in Theological studies, and a Master of Religious Education/Pastoral Counseling. Holds a Doctorate in Pastoral Community Counseling (Psychological/ Behavioral) EDD, from Argosy University. Has a certificate from Harvard University Law Dept. in Negotiation and Leadership, President of Together Ministries, INC faith-based organization. Work as PT chaplain at the Metroplex Hospital as one of the Staff. Completed a Master’s in forensic psychology in Law Enforcement. Completed Master’s in criminal law from Trinity Law School.

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© 2016 by Dr. Keith Gavin.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5245-1295-8

                eBook          978-1-5245-1294-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, pcebsrv71laces and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Rev. date: 07/05/2016

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Contents

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF APPENDICES

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

Problem Background

Purpose of the Study

Research Question

Definition of Terms

Significance of the Study

CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The History of the Church in the Community of Rockdale

What is the Church Theologically and Existentially as a Community?

What is the African American Notion and Role of the Church?

What is the Role of Church in the Greater Community?

Influence of the Civil Rights Movement Upon African American Church Activism

Social Criticism and Social Activism: Philosophical Underpinnings of Christian Involvement in Societal Change/Transformation

Social Issues Affecting Rockdale

The African American Struggle

The African American Church and Critical Thinking

The African American Church Leadership

African American Church and Economics

Summary

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Population and Sampling Procedures

Instrumentation

Research Questions (RQ)

Procedures

Data Collection

Description of Data Analysis Procedures

Methodological Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations

Summary

CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS

Central Research Question (CRQ)

Demographics

Presentation of Findings

Major Theme One: Discrimination against Races or Ethnicities

Minor Theme One: Parents not Setting a Good Example to Children

Minor Theme Two: Lack of Available Jobs

Minor Theme Three: Prevalence of Drug Use

Minor Theme Four: Lack of Communication to Hear the Local Problems

Minor Theme Five: African-Americans are Out-numbered in School

Minor Theme Six: Inaccuracy of Property and Land Lines

Major Theme Two: Unity and Support of Church is Needed to Address Issues

Minor Theme One: Members of the Community have Stopped Attending Church

Minor Theme Two: Churches Shall Encourage Families to Unite

Major Theme Three: Locals should be Encouraged to go Back to Church

Minor Theme One: Community Members Should Start the Change within Themselves

Minor Theme Two: Need for Capable Community Leaders

Minor Theme Three: Unity within the Community

Minor Theme Four: Guidance for the Younger Generation

Summary

CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Discussion

Conclusions

Implications for Practice

Limitations

Recommendations for Further Research

REFERENCES

List of Tables

Tables1.   Breakdown of the Participants and Churches

Tables2.   The Psychological and Social Issues within the Community

Tables3.   The Role of the Church in Resolving Issues in Rockdale, TX

Tables4.   What should be done to ensure that the Community Moves Towards Resolving Its Social Problems

List of Appendices

Appendix A.   Typical Key Stages in Par

Appendix B.   Research Questions

Appendix C.   Letter of Informed Consent

Appendix D.   Pictures

Appendix E.   First Meeting with Participants

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to discover the role of the church in the lives of the members of the community. It addressed the central research question of What is the role of the Church in resolving issues in Rockdale, TX. This study investigated the critical issues in this particular community and used a qualitative design, participatory action research to help identify the problems in the community by gathering critical information from participants in the community. The participatory action research examined and observed the conditions contributing to the individuals in the community as well as analyze the relationships among three churches (Baptist, African Methodist, and non-denominational) in the African American community. The research can help the pastors and participants in the African American community better identify the problematic conditions of the community by determining the psychological and social conditions. This study helped to identify further the theoretical viewpoints on how the community pastors visualized the social conditions, which has indirectly affected the behavioral concerns, particularly the African American people who live in Rockdale. When other pastors and community leaders look at these findings, they will then have a starting point to look at the community situations and problems. The area that can be further explored in a future study would be those that derive from the lack of minorities in the city official positions. This study has brought forth issues for the underserved population that has no voice in shaping the city government, which would help their own socioeconomic conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to acknowledge God and give Him praise for allowing me the opportunity to reach this level of higher education. My gratitude to Dr. Thomas Vail, who not only was my mentor through the program, but also became my chair at the last moment, when I did not know what department they would assign me to for the long stretch. His guidance helped me maximize my abilities and make it this far, and I am forever grateful for his leadership. To Dr. Thorndike and also Dr. Jameka Falconer, who were a tremendous help in developing my thinking skills during my process. To Dr. Belcasto, Dr. Knowling, and Dr. Teresa Collins-Jones who encouraged us to seek that higher place. Thanks goes to Mr. Steven Strunk, for getting the faculty to allow me the opportunity to attend Argosy University. Thanks to all of the instructors who have been instrumental in my learning.

DEDICATION

To my wife, Sylvia Gavin, who helped me to keep focused and helped me keep the faith when times were difficult. To my mother, Vera Gavin, who gave me life and dreamed in her spirit that I would do better down the road. It is not with any regret that I pause to cry for her not being able to see me make it here completing a doctorate degree. To my father, Ira C. Gavin, who was so overjoyed about the process, had to stop going to school to help his mother and did not get this opportunity. To my four daughters, Syreeta, Kelynda, Kelecia, and Kenya, as you strive to make your way, know that I did it for you all. To Zamari Gavin, it is now your turn to go higher than your grandfather.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

In this study, the researcher explored the role of the African American church in Rockdale, Texas (TX), focusing on how to help members of the African American Church and community better understand their role on a spiritual, emotional, and economical basis. The researcher further explored the quality of life and academic concerns of the social conditions within the African American community of Rockdale, TX.

Using a participatory action research design to gain a better understanding of the conditions of the African American community, this research helped to clarify a background obstacle that has been otherwise overlooked. The researcher’s intent for the literature review was to draw from peer-reviewed, scholarly, detailed periodicals and dissertations by expanding the research beyond its timeline and giving significant attention to the African American churches and their role within community. One possible reason that individuals in the African American community experience social difficulty is unemployment. The high dropout rate in Rockdale is possibly a result of the low skill sets and scarce job opportunities within the community. The pastors and city officials in the community could be overlooking the lower socio-economic neighborhoods within the city of Rockdale.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2014), the demographic composition of Rockdale is 33% African American, 51% Caucasian, 35.4% Hispanic, and 0.3% other. The demographic composition of Texas is 14% African American, 33.3% Caucasian, 48.6% Hispanic, and 3.7% other. There are three community colleges within 50 miles of Rockdale, with a target population of 5,595. The closest community colleges are ranked by distance from Rockdale. The bordering community college is Temple Community College, which is approximately 35.2 miles from the Rockdale. Rockdale’s income median is $18,000, the household median is $33,025, the employment rate for all families is 13.7%, and the poverty rate is 23.6% (U.S. Census Bureau). The dropout rate in the community is 89.3%, while the rate of African American dropouts is 9.8% (Rockdale ISD, 2014). Rockdale ISD is a district in Rockdale with 1,745 students. Students perform below the state average in passing TAKS scores; the rates of passing are Caucasian 72%, Hispanic 64%, and African American 43% (IBID, 2014). The information that was gathered from the statistics helped to better clarify the population of Rockdale.

In Rockdale’s African American community, the African American church has long served to associate itself with the social, political, and socio-economic anxieties in the community that reach into the church. The church’s leaders have not yet explored its relevance in serving and ministering to the needs of Rockdale. The researcher kept an open mind when engaging the participants of the proposed study, which helped benefit exploration. The review of the inquiries in this proposed study observed any divisions among the participants in the church community, which may have previously transpired or gone unnoticed. Participatory action research benefits the ministerial alliance and other pastors in the community, showing them exactly how to take responsibility for circumstances by engaging the participants of the community.

Interviewing the participants in the church community and individuals outside of the church community who share similar experiences can help the pastors and city leaders devise a plan of action.

The key question here is: What role does the church take in the community? In regards to having a better understanding of the conditions of the participants who appear to have no voice, a sub-question emerges regarding how the church deals with social concerns. By exploring the concerns in the African American community and understanding the social, emotional, economic, and spiritual needs of the residents, pastors and other church leaders might prove to be an essential part of the question. Focusing on the aforementioned questions will help researcher gain a clearer understanding of the conditions affecting Rockdale and members of the African American community.

Problem Background

This study examines the social conditions of the African American community in Rockdale by understanding the effectiveness of the individual participants’ involvement in organizing parishioners within the church. Understanding the conditions within the African American community helps to highlight the conditions that participants face within the African American church. The study observes the relationships between the two, that is, the church and the African American community. It makes an observation of how the churches use the power of influence, which is critical when engaging the religious leaders in the community. This entails exploring the civic and community involvement, attitudes, and social changes in the African American community, which influence both the African American church and the larger community. The research further examines the neighborhoods associated with poverty and poor living conditions by trying to understand why some areas in the city have higher levels of participation than similar areas within the same city/community.

Moreover, this study entails understanding how the African American community manages pastoral influence, both inside and outside of the church. In general, the traditional African American church has not found a way to engage the concerns of church members. Using participatory action research, the researcher identified the