Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2016 The Application of Prophetic Pragmatism: The Intersection of the Theologically-based Education of the Black Church Leader, The lB ack Church, The Community, and Social Action Errol K. Domingue Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Education Commons Recommended Citation Domingue, Errol K., "The Application of Prophetic Pragmatism: The nI tersection of the Theologically-based Education of the Black Church Leader, The lB ack Church, The ommC unity, and Social Action" (2016). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 4380. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/4380 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. THE APPLICATION OF PROPHETIC PRAGMATISM: THE INTERSECTION OF THE THEOLOGICALLY-BASED EDUCATION OF THE BLACK CHURCH LEADER, THE BLACK CHURCH, THE COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL ACTION A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Education Leadership, Counseling, and Research by Errol K. Domingue B.A., Southern University, 1989 M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007 M.A. Louisiana State University, 2012 May 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This journey began long before my engagement in the process of formal education, let along higher education. The names, faces, kind acts, sacrifices, and words of wisdom on my behalf are too numerous to name. It is suffice to say that I stand on the shoulders of giants that accomplished far more, with much less than me. For example, I readily admit my higher education career would not exist if my grandmother had not sold dixie cups to help buy my books during my undergraduate studies. I am indebted to Dr. Eldon Birthwright who guided through the process of finding a suitable doctorate program. Not only so, but the friendship, guidance, and wisdom of my chair, Dr. Roland Mitchell remains above measure. In addition, the professional instruction of members of my committee: Drs. Lori Martin, Eugene Kennedy, Catherine Jacquet, and Derek Rovaris proved invaluable. The people who make up the faith communities at Elm Grove and New Pilgrim churches continue to encourage and inspire in every facet of our relationship. They allow me the priceless privilege of practicing that which I believe. Most importantly, my wife Dr. Angela Lee Domingue, with whom I share too much to list, she remains forever gracious, tough, loving, and supportive in this and all of my endeavors. I hope to have set an example for my treasures, Lauren and Azaria. I remained committed to my sure calling, “The Church has a responsibility – a divine mandate – to positively impact and transform its community spiritually, morally, and economically.” ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ ii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... vi ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................1 Problem and Purpose of Study .............................................................................................1 Key terms and structure .......................................................................................................3 Position of researcher ...........................................................................................................3 Research questions and methods .........................................................................................5 Higher education ..................................................................................................................6 Black Church .....................................................................................................................10 Summary ............................................................................................................................12 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ..........................................................................14 Introduction ........................................................................................................................14 Higher education as foundation for theologically-based higher education .......................16 Theological education and social change ..........................................................................20 Curriculum Effects .................................................................................................22 Pertinent Theories ..................................................................................................24 Benjamin Mays ..................................................................................................................27 Black Church .....................................................................................................................33 Definition ...............................................................................................................33 History....................................................................................................................37 Critique ..................................................................................................................38 Moral and Ethical Shortcomings ...........................................................................41 Seminary Training of Minister...............................................................................43 Prophetic pragmatism ........................................................................................................44 Summary ............................................................................................................................50 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................51 Introduction ........................................................................................................................51 Research questions .............................................................................................................52 Qualitative analysis ............................................................................................................53 Theoretical framework .......................................................................................................55 Use of case study ...............................................................................................................58 Participant observation.......................................................................................................59 Examining artifacts ............................................................................................................60 Interviewing .......................................................................................................................60 Sampling procedure ...........................................................................................................61 Data analysis ......................................................................................................................62 Summary ............................................................................................................................62 iii CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH FINDINGS ...............................................................................63 Introduction ........................................................................................................................63 Description of data collection ............................................................................................64 Leader/Church One ............................................................................................................66 Interview Setting ....................................................................................................66 Participant’s personal vocation ..............................................................................67 Setting and work of the church ..............................................................................67 Theologically-based education experience ............................................................69 Thoughts on theologically-based education curriculum ........................................70 Leader/Church Two ...........................................................................................................71 Interview Setting ....................................................................................................71 Participant’s personal vocation ..............................................................................71 Setting and work of the church ..............................................................................72