Towards a Practical Theology for Effective Responses to Black Young Men Associated with Crime for Black Majority Churches
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TOWARDS A PRACTICAL THEOLOGY FOR EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO BLACK YOUNG MEN ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME FOR BLACK MAJORITY CHURCHES By Carver L. Anderson A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham In fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law University of Birmingham February 2015 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 Background and Motivation 4 Theological Considerations 6 Fieldwork 10 Researcher’s Fieldwork Reflections 11 Outline of Thesis 13 CHAPTER ONE: THROUGH PRACTICAL THEOLOGICAL LENSES 17 1.1 Introduction 17 1.2 Inter-disciplinary Context 19 1.3 Entering the Practical Theological Arena 21 1.4 Practical Theology and Scriptural Considerations 26 1.5 Constructing a Framework for Doing Practical Theology 31 1.6 Towards the use of Personal Narratives in Practical Theology 34 1.7 Youth, Black Men and BMCs: A Hermeneutical Response 41 1.8 Conclusion 46 CHAPTER TWO: INTERPRETATIONS OF THE SITUATION OF BLACK YOUNG MEN – VIEWS FROM SOCIAL RESEARCH STUDIES AND REPORTS 48 2.1 Introduction 48 2.2 Notions of Blackness 50 2.3 Inner City Communities and Black Young Men 52 2.4 Framing the issues and Challenges Facing Black Young Men 58 2.5 Criminal Justice Encounters 62 2.6 Understanding Black Young Men and Gang-Associated Lifestyles 67 2.6.1 Gangs and Disorder in the UK – Nothing New 74 2.7 A Birmingham Contextualisation 76 2.8 Black-on-Black Violence 80 2.9 Construction of Labels for Black Young Men 82 2.10 Towards Considering a Theological Response 86 2.11 Conclusion 88 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH CONTEXTUALISATION AND METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction 90 3.2 Research Ethics 91 3.2.1 Sensitivity Considerations 93 3.2.2 Further Fieldwork Ethical Considerations 96 3.3 The Context of Study 98 3.3.1 The spotlight on Birmingham 99 3.4 Methodological Considerations 102 3.4.1 Research Methods 104 3.5 Study Sample 105 3.6 Interviews 109 3.6.1 Briefing and Debriefing 111 3.7 BMC Focus Group 112 3.8 Use of Grounded Theory 113 3.8.1 Analysis 115 3.9 Reflexivity Process 116 3.9.1 Verification and corroboration 117 3.10 Conclusion 118 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND FINDINGS REGARDING BLACK YOUNG MEN 4.1 Introduction 120 4.2 Childhood Experiences and Early Socialisation 123 4.3 Early/Initial Involvement in Negative, Criminal and Challenging Behaviours 133 4.4 ‘On Street’ or ‘On Road’ Associated Lifestyle and Activities 140 4.5 Street Lifestyle: Impact on Self, Family and Community 148 4.6 The role of Faith, Spirituality and Religion on Lifestyle Choices 154 4.7 Responsibility or Blame for ‘On Street’ Lifestyle Choices 161 4.8 A Mother’s Heart 163 4.9 Fathering and Fatherhood 166 4.10 Black Majority Churches: Relevant or Irrelevant to Black Young Men? 170 4.11 Conclusion 173 CHAPTER FIVE: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION RE BLACK YOUNG MEN 175 5.1 Introduction 175 5.2 Black Young Men’s Self-Concept 178 5.3 ‘On Street’ – The Seductive Dynamics 183 5.4 Coping with Trauma and Challenges of ‘Street Life’ 191 5.5 Family Influences and Lifestyle Choices 196 5.6 Black Majority Churches’ Response to Black Young Men 201 5.7 Conclusion 205 CHAPTER SIX: BLACK MAJORITY CHURCHES’ DISTINCTIVENESS: IN SEARCH OF A FAITH-ACTION PARADIGM 207 6.1 Introduction 207 6.2 The Emergence and Shape of Black Majority Churches in the UK 211 6.3 Black Majority Churches’ Thoughts and Activities Regarding Black Young Men 223 6.4 Theological Reflection and ‘Critical Conversation’ Processes for supporting BYM 232 6.4.1 Self-Reflection Journey 235 6.4.2 Social Scientific Analysis within Theological Reflection 240 6.4.3 Black Young Men Offering a Perspective 245 6.4.4 BMCs’ Underpinning Beliefs, Assumptions and Perceptions 248 6.5 Understanding the Gaps and Disconnection between BMCs and BYM 257 6.6 Conclusion 264 CHAPTER SEVEN: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: TOWARDS A BLACK PRACTICAL PENTECOSTAL STREET THEOLOGY 266 7.1 Introduction 266 7.2 BMCs – Challenges and Opportunities in Supporting BYM 268 7.3 Divine Mandate, Obligation and Social Responsibility 271 7.4 Ethical Considerations towards an Outward-Looking BMC Conceptualisation 274 7.5 Embracing the Divine Whilst Seeking to Engage with Contemporary Situations 277 7.6 Theological Reflection, towards Revised Practice 282 7.7 Liberation Theology – Help or Hindrance 284 7.8 Potential and Limitation for Engaging Black Young Men 285 7.9 Lessons from BMCs’ United Efforts 287 7.10 Becoming a ‘Community Church’ 291 7.11 Towards a Conceptual Framework 296 7.12 Conclusion 300 CHAPTER EIGHT: CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS 303 8.1 Introduction 303 8.2 Summary of Thesis 304 8.3 Use of the Pastoral Cycle 306 8.4 Moving the Agenda Forward and Further Research 310 APPENDICES 312 Appendix 1 Introductory Letter 313 Appendix 2 Introductory Letter for Black Majority Church Leader’s Focus Group 315 Appendix 3 Consent Form – Interview 317 Appendix 4 Debriefing Form 318 Appendix 5 Interview Questions 319 Appendix 6 Sample of Fieldwork Interview 320 Appendix 7 Black Majority Church Leader’s Questions for Focus Group 331 Appendix 8 Interviews/Focus Group 332 Bibliography 333 ABSTRACT This thesis uses a practical theological approach to explore concerns regarding black young men (BYM) labelled ‘problematic’, involved in crime and gang-associated activities. Their over-representation in the criminal justice system, also their deaths at each other’s hands, has been the subject of studies and debates in the USA and the UK. Responses and interventions to these concerns have been numerous and varied. This work is rooted in the author’s role as a black Pentecostal pastor in Birmingham and offers a framework from which Black Majority Churches (BMCs) might be able to develop more effective responses to these concerns also exploring the interests and needs of BYM. It addresses the key question: how might the narratives of BYM influence BMCs in shaping more effective theological and pastoral responses to the situation of these men? The research question is explored using a version of the Pastoral Cycle (PC), allowing for the use of interdisciplinary approaches to understand the situation of BYM in Birmingham. Through literature review and empirical investigation of fourteen BYM regarding how they understand their situation and what would help them, conclusions were drawn. The study then explores possible responses of BMCs, using New Testament Church of God (NTCG) as a case study for discussion. It is from these sources that some theoretical, theological and practical prescriptions and conclusions emerge, suggesting that BYM and BMC leaders are prepared to engage in some initial dialogue about the situations facing BYM in Birmingham. This thesis provides new empirically based knowledge about BYM’s perceptions about themselves and their involvement in criminality, and also BMC’s response to their situation. It offers insights into practical theology, sociology and criminology regarding BYM within an urban context. DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to four particular groups of people who have all inspired or motivated me in some way towards the production of this work. These groups include my parents, Beatrice and Norris Anderson, who coped with my wayward days as a black young man, believing God that I would eventually change towards becoming a man of integrity. The second group are those pioneers involved in the emergence of BMCs in the UK, in particular my father-in-law, Bishop Sydney Uriah Thompson (RIP), who passed away a week before I submitted this thesis. This group coped with oppression and racism and other challenges as they established what we now know as the ‘BMC phenomena’. Thirdly I dedicate this thesis to BYM, who I argue have been misunderstood and misrepresented at times; therefore, the privileging of their voices acknowledges the absence of their narratives in the discourse and debates regarding them within different sectors of society. Finally this thesis is dedicated to those men, women and leaders within BMCs and the wider Christian community, willing to develop a socio-political and ‘street’ awareness towards working with BYM on their rehabilitation, desistance and transformational journeys. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The inspiration to undertake this work emerged from a conversation with Emmanuel Lartey in 2001, which encouraged me to explore my thoughts, concerns and perception about the disconnection between BMCs and black young men. Thanks to Robert Beckford, my first supervisor on the journey, who offered some initial insights into the ‘world’ of the academy, followed by Garnett Parris, who supported me during my re-entry to my academic work after a leave-of-absence period. Appreciation goes to Werner Ustorf whose intellectual rigour, guidance and insight encouraged me to develop new ways of thinking relating to my research. It was during the period leading up to Werner Ustorf’s retirement that both he and Stephen Pattison jointly supervised me, until Stephen Pattison became my only supervisor. I am indeed grateful to Stephen Pattison for taking the time and effort to steer and guide me on the journey, especially during the periods when I had almost lost confidence. His intellectual guidance and motivation have been invaluable in me completing this work.