“This exceptional book will be crucial for those of us who study black politics. In this era of strange alliances between the Republican right and black Christian fundamentalists, research that illuminates how the formerly contentious and confrontational black church has adapted to certain political realities has cutting-edge relevancy.”

Andrea Y. Simpson, University of Richmond

“God and Government in the Ghetto is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the political significance of contemporary African-American churches. Without a hint of sentimentality or nostalgia for an idealized ‘black church,’ Owens lays bare the contributions, challenges, and contradictions inherent in collaborative efforts among black churches and state structures. It is a refreshing analysis and a timely contribution in a critical moment.”

Eddie S. Glaude Jr., Princeton University

“Owens provides a theoretically rich study that considers how activist black churches collaborate with local governments, demonstrating how collaboration can create a ‘third wave’ of church-based activism in black communities today. God and Government in the Ghetto documents this alternative form of activism like no other study has done before. It is an important scholarly work that will inform policymakers and practitioners alike.”

Fredrick C. Harris, Columbia University

"A useful account of the operation of FBOs ’in the trenches’ in the nation’s largest city. Owens strikes a balance between providing details of local situations with a theoretically (and politically) sophisticated account of the motives of various participants. The book is an excellent read and deserves the attention of scholars interested in the problems of urban poverty, and those whose primary focus is the relationship between religion and politics."

Ted G. Jelen | Political Science Quarterly

"Students of religion and public policy will learn much from this book. . . . With this research, we can now better understand the process of church-state collaboration."

John David Rausch, Jr. | Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

"Using an effective mixture of surveys, interviews, and observation, Owens delineates the benefits and challenges for religious organizations in collaborating with government bodies and agencies to develop housing. . . . Owens develops sound theoretical arguments, moving beyond past definitions of patronage, co-optation, and church-government relationships in general to provide a carefully nuanced set of terms and definitions with pragmatic and philosophical value for the future of faith-based initiatives."

Judith Birgen | American Journal of Sociology