An Ethnography of an African American 'Holy Ghost' Church : The Role of Saints, Shouters, and Street People in the Organizational Environment of St. Paul Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska

This work assesses of the stress caused by the Holy Ghost Church's contact with its predominantly white metropolitan environment.

It bridges the gap between the literature on African American churches and the street institution.

This study uses a grounded or discovery-oriented research approach to describe the organizational environment of an African American 'holy ghost' church.

It is argued that at least three groups of worshipers were operating in the church's inner environment.

Evidence is presented which shows how the church made an effort to meet their respective needs.

The study also contains a thorough analysis of the social and economic relationships which governed the congregation's inter-organizational environment.

In addition to exploring fellowship opportunities in this environmental subsector, ample attention is given to the strategic alliances which allowed the church to compete in a dense religious market place.

An effort is also made to situate the church in its community environment, which was dominated by an oppositional street subculture.