To March or Not to March: Clergy Mobilization Strategies and Grassroots Antidrug Activism

Abstract

Data for examining the effect of clergy mobilization strategies on grassroots activism in inner-city churches were gathered from participant observation at St. Sabina Catholic Church, on Chicago's South Side, where Rev. Michael Pfleger uses Sunday sermons to promote participation in weekly antidrug marches. It is maintained that "Father Mike" redefines church membership to include the marches, & strengthens his parishioners' sense of political effectiveness by linking march participation with the congregation's values & identity. Parishioners with the most exposure to sermons had higher levels of political efficacy, were more likely to believe church membership involves participation in ministries, & tended to place a religious interpretation on the marches. The findings suggest that clergy are most apt to succeed at political mobilization when they utilize wide frames that have the potential to resonate with diverse audiences. By calling the antidrug marches both "marches to take back the streets" & "Friday night ministry walks," Father Mike realized a greater turnout than if the plea had been framed in strictly political or strictly religious terms. 4 Tables. J. Lindroth