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The Lobbying Efforts of Mainline Protestant Denominations: a Brief Review of Literature

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The Lobbying Efforts of Mainline Protestant Denominations: a Brief Review of Literature University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 5-2014 Lobbying on Behalf of the Faithful: Three Mainline Protestant Denominations and their Advocacy Efforts on Capitol Hill during the 110th Congress Julia Ann Summers University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the American Politics Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Public Policy Commons Recommended Citation Summers, Julia Ann, "Lobbying on Behalf of the Faithful: Three Mainline Protestant Denominations and their Advocacy Efforts on Capitol Hill during the 110th Congress" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 2295. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2295 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Lobbying On Behalf of the Faithful: Three Mainline Protestant Denominations and Their Advocacy Efforts on Capitol Hill During the 110th Congress Lobbying On Behalf of the Faithful: Three Mainline Protestant Denominations and Their Advocacy Efforts on Capitol Hill During the 110th Congress A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy by Julia A. Summers Oklahoma State University Bachelor of Arts in Geography, 1986 University of Oklahoma Master of Social Work, 1989 Phillips Theological Seminary Master of Divinity, 2001 May 2014 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council Dr. J. Brinck Kerr Dissertation Director Dr. Lori Holyfield Dr. William Miller Committee Member Committee Member ABSTRACT A number of mainline Protestant denominations engage in direct lobbying and grassroots advocacy efforts with Congress on behalf of the poor and other marginalized groups. This study explores the work of three specific denominations the Presbyterian Church [PC(USA)], the United Church of Christ (UCC), and the United Methodist Church (UMC), as religious special interests. Specifically, the study explores how they facilitated their policy agendas on Capitol Hill during the 110th Congress (2007-2008). This question is answered primarily through interviews with and surveys of the professional staff engaged in this work during that session. Results indicate that each denomination works extensively through denominational and coalition groups, together with grassroots constituencies, to further the policy agenda of each. Drawing on the prophetic strand of the Christian tradition and speaking with its moral authority are unique elements of mainline Protestant denominations as interest groups. Though each has its particular history, theology and polity, all three struggle with common concerns including strained financial resources, constraints imposed by denominational bureaucracy and factionalism, and a lack of visibility and leveraging power in the midst of other more powerful and well-financed interest groups. The study concludes with possibilities for strengthening the effectiveness of denominational lobbying efforts and recommendations for further research. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks to my dissertation committee, Dr. Brinck Kerr, who supported and coached and prodded me through the dissertation process, along with Dr. Will Miller and Dr. Lori Holyfield who continued to work with me through periods of dormancy and silence. There were several times when I was ready to give up on myself, but you three did not give up on me, and for that I am deeply grateful. I am very appreciative, as well, of the faculty and staff of the Public Policy Ph.D. program for all that they have done to teach and help me along the way. I offer particular gratitude to my “peer advisor” and friend, Joshua Barnett, who has continued to check in with me and offer encouragement throughout the process. Beyond the University community, many family and friends supported me over the course of this long, long process. First, thanks to my partner, Gina Woods, and to my family: my parents, Pat and Bob Marks, my sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Rod Walton and their children, Rachel, Becca, Hayley, and Will; also, to my Aunt Pat McCune, who cheered me on in all things until she passed away in 2009. Thanks, as well, to many, many friends who shared the journey with me including: Joe Bessler, Sheri and Bob Curry, Laura Dempsey-Polan, Melinda and Toney Foster, Anna Holloway, Pat and Bob Lucy, Rosemary McCombs Maxey and Paul Maxey, Tracy Megli, and many others who encouraged me along the way. Also, thanks to Bobbie Henderson and the Camp Fire staff who made space for me to work on this project at critical points, and to my companions and friends at Community of Hope United Church of Christ. Last, but certainly not least, many thanks to the men and women who participated in my research and gave of their time through interviews, observations and informal discussions. Also, this project would not have been possible without the hospitality of Pat Conover and Trish Nemore, who opened their home to me while I was conducting my field work. DEDICATION This dissertation research is dedicated to the women and men who do the work of social justice on Capitol Hill as representatives of progressive religious organizations, and particularly to those whose work is centered in the United Methodist Building. There are numerous progressive ecumenical and mainline Protestant organizations whose Washington, D.C. presence is headquartered in this building, among them, the three whose staff gave generously of their time and wisdom for this study: the United Methodists, the Presbyterians, and the United Church of Christ staff. To the staff of these three denominations and all of their ecumenical partners, I dedicate this study. At the 2012 re-consecration of the Simpson Memorial Chapel at the heart of this historic building, Jim Winkler, General Secretary of GBCS, led the congregation prayer with these words: Bless us and make sacred what we do here, that this place may be holy for us and a house of prayer for all people … save us from the failure of vision which would confine our worship, study, and advocacy within these walls, but send us out from here to be your servants in the world.1 For the men and women who do the hard work of policy advocacy on Capitol Hill, seeking to “speak truth to power” as people of faith, may it be so.2 1 Rudolph, K. (February 17, 2012). “D.C. Building Renovated as a ‘Light on the Hill,’” The Institute on Religious Democracy News. 2 This expression, “speaking truth to power,” often used by progressive religious voices as they advocate for marginalized groups on Capitol Hill, comes from a Quaker (Religious Society of Friends) pamphlet of the same name published in 1955 to address Cold War concerns about nuclear disarmament. See American Friends Service Committee. (1955). Speak truth to power: A Quaker search for an alternative to violence. Philadelphia, PA: Religious Society of Friends. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface…………………………………………………………………………………………….1 Introduction to the Questions and the Need for the Study ....................................................... 2 A Brief Overview of Lobbying by Religious Groups in the U. S. Congress .............................. 3 Progressive Religious Interests and the Struggle to be Heard .................................................... 4 Research Question and Sub-questions ........................................................................................ 6 Justification for the Study ........................................................................................................... 7 The Lobbying Efforts of Mainline Protestant Denominations: A Brief Review of Literature . 10 A brief historical overview of lobbying on Capitol Hill by Protestants ............................... 11 A brief history of lobbying Congress by Methodists, Presbyterians, and the United Church of Christ ................................................................................................................................ 13 Methodology and the Data Collection Process ......................................................................... 15 Rationale for utilizing grounded theory as an approach to qualitative research ................... 16 Data collection ...................................................................................................................... 16 Field Research ....................................................................................................................... 19 Data analysis ......................................................................................................................... 21 Overview of Subsequent Chapters ............................................................................................ 21 Religious Voices Lobbying the United States Congress: ......................................................... 24 An Overview of Policy Theory and Previous Research ........................................................... 24 Part One: The Process of Lobbying the United States Congress and Religious Voices as Special Interests ........................................................................................................................ 24 Lobbying in the national arena: The United States Congress ..............................................
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