This volume's contributors - dynamic and progressiveAfrican American church leaders - advocate theprophetic powers of black theology, preaching, and evangelismin support of community and economic development,ministerial and lay leadership, and enhancement of churchlife.

Among the writers are Charles G. Adams, Randall C. Bailey,James H. Cone, James A. Forbes, Jacquelyn Grant, OberyHendricks, Asa G. Hilliard, Dwight N. Hopkins, CecilMurray, and Gayraud Wilmore. All were presentersin 2004 at the first Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference,established to reinvigorate the social justice agenda ofAmerica's black churches.