The Black Church and Liberal Arts Institutions

Forming Reciprocal Relationships for Thriving Urban Communities and Churches

Authors

  • Marcia Allen Owens, J.D., Ph.D., M.Div Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
  • John McKnight Connecticut College
  • Maurice Tiner Yale Divinity School alum
  • Michelle R. Dunlap Connecticut College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/24058

Keywords:

Black Church, community engagement, faith-based organizations, churches, sustainability, stewardship

Abstract

Academic institutions engaged in partnerships with the Black Church, including small, independent, under-resourced churches as well as historically Black denominational churches, and other under-resourced faith-based organizations, are encouraged to consider collaborative educational opportunities around the issues of strategic financial sustainability and short and long-term stewardship. Four highly community-engaged academics offer a thought-experiment starting with their observations and experiences with respect to the need for such partnerships, and how these kinds of collaborations may be able to help strengthen the Black Church, in all its forms and faith-based communities and ground them for greater advocacy for demanding systemic and structural change.

Author Biographies

John McKnight, Connecticut College

John F. McKnight Jr. joined Connecticut College in 2016 as dean of institutional equity and inclusion. He is responsible for the overall vision and leadership of the work of equity and inclusion, and collaborates with leaders across campus to fulfill its commitment to full participation. He oversees the offices of the equity and compliance programs, gender and sexuality programs, race and ethnicity programs, and religious and spiritual programs.

Throughout his career, McKnight has held a variety of administrative positions, first at Lehigh University and later, at Lafayette College, where he designed and implemented successful initiatives to foster inclusive campus communities. Of particular note are the programs in intercultural competency and in social justice peer education that he established at Lafayette, both of which have had a singular impact on the campus culture.

As dean of intercultural development and deputy Title IX coordinator at Lafayette College, McKnight was responsible for managing five areas within the campus life division, including student leadership and involvement, religious and spiritual life, gender and sexuality programs, international student advising, and intercultural development. He designed and implemented an annual social justice ally development retreat for students and, as coordinator of the bias-response team, co-led the “Civility Project,” a proactive approach to bias education. A natural collaborator, John worked closely with faculty, staff, and students across the divisions to advance programming, advocacy for underrepresented populations, and community building. He also transformed Lafayette’s multicultural recruitment efforts in partnership with the enrollment management division. He was twice named the Aaron O. Hoff Administrator of the Year, and also received an Excellence in Mentorship Award at Lafayette, in recognition of these efforts.

McKnight holds a doctorate of education in administration and leadership studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master of science in higher education administration from Indiana University and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Florida. 

Maurice Tiner, Yale Divinity School alum

Maurice Tiner is a minister at Encouraging Word Church in Hamden, CT.  He also is an educator who has a wide array of experience from primary school to higher education. He has developed curriculum for middle school students while also advising a college's senior administration as a Board of Trustee Member. Helping people and companies to solve problems and maximize their potential are his passions. He does this work through modes of teaching, collaborating with groups, and leading workshops.

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Published

2020-12-18

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 3 (2020): The Intersection of Faith and Community Engagement at Urban Institutions

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2020 Marcia Allen Owens, J.D., Ph.D., M.Div, John McKnight, Maurice Tiner, Michelle R. Dunlap

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