Congregation-Based Community Organizing: A Social Justice Approach to Revitalizing Congregational Life
Congregation-Based Community Organizing
Congregation Based Community Organizing (CBCO, also called Faith-Based, Broad-Based, or sometimes Institution-Based) is a movement that seeks to establish inter-faith, cross-class, multi-ethnic and multi-racial grassroots organizations for purposes of increasing social integration and power in civil society and for making civic, regional and state-wide changes for social improvement. By "civil society," we mean the voluntary sector, including religious institutions. CBCO groups see their "primary role to develop participants' leadership skills, build a strong web of relationships through congregations and other institutions, and turn those relationships into civic power capable of making changes to promote the public good." (Interfaith Funders, 2001). For additional information, see also Congregation Based Community Organizing: A Social Justice Approach to Revitalizing Congregational Life (PDF, 28 pages).
The Scope of Congregation-Based Community Organizing Activity
In 2001, there were a total of 133 CBCOs active in 33 states and the District of Columbia with a total of some 4000 member institutions, of which 87% were religious institutions. The remaining member organizations were primarily labor unions and public schools. Catholics make up 33% of the membership in CBCOs, followed by Baptists (including Missionary) who contribute 16%. Another third is made up of United Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and the Untied Church of Christ. The Church of God in Christ, Jewish and Unitarian Univeralist congregations make up the remaining 3 percent. (Warren and Wood, Interfaith Funders, 2001).
Last updated on Thursday, August 14, 2008.
