Religious organizations have long played a vital role in serving the common welfare,especially in the United States, where a traditional mistrust of government intervention has led to a dependence on private sources for human and social services. With decreasing public funds available for such services, and in light not only of the September 11 attacks but also of the Bush administration's emphasis on the importance of faith-based charities, the demands on religious communities are increasingly urgent. Many religious groups, however, lack the expertise and the resources to cope with these demands.

To address this problem, Edward L. Queen II, the director of the Islamic Society of North America's fellowships in nonprofit management and governance, has assembled an ecumenical group of researchers and service providers to create a handbook offering practical guidance for religious communities (referred to throughout the book as congregations) preparing to meet increasing demands for human services. Each member of the group has contributed a chapter to one of three areas: Preparing for Service, Capacity Building, and Moving Beyond Basic Needs.

In Preparing for Service, the contributors set forth the context in which faith-based service delivery exists in the United States. During the early 1990s, the role of religiously based human and social services dominated political discourse as it became the opinion of many that the system of public welfare was not working, and that religious organizations could better respond to those in need by combining material resources with spiritual and moral compasses. The contributors discuss how congregations receiving federal funds must find creative ways of coping with government involvement without compromising their apostolates —— sometimes a delicate balancing act when certain theological positions may appear discriminatory in the eyes of a secular government. Several chapters explain how and why the mandates of faith have moved congregations to care for others, and explore ways that congregations can mobilize themselves and their communities for social ministry. Congregations often overlook the obvious: the talents and resources of their own members. Helpful hints are provided on how to discover and utilize the gifts of the faithful.

Capacity Building deals with developing the capacity of congregations to provide effective social ministry; many readers will perhaps find this the most immediately useful portion of the book because of its practical nature. The chapter on effective board leadership outlines the importance of board members and the necessity of selecting individuals that can contribute to the board's leadership role. Another chapter emphasizes the inseparability of fundraising and successful social ministry, and provides practical tips and advice on asking for money, conducting special events, and even bookkeeping practices. Yet another chapter focuses on the importance of stakeholders —— those individuals, organizations, or institutions that influence or are influenced by a particular organization —— and how analyzing these stakeholders can serve as a decision-making and planning tool for faith-based organizations. Other topics include developing financial accountability and controls, how to build partnerships with academic institutions, and whether and when to seek government funds. The chapter on working with foundations, which also discusses the basics of writing a proposal, is rudimentary but might serve as a basic introduction for those new to the field.

In Moving Beyond Basic Needs, the contributors move on to larger issues, such as the role of faith-based providers as initiators and managers of sustained community economic development. Marshalling and multiplying the assets and resources of a community is one of the most productive means of dealing with poverty and neighborhood disintegration, and religious organizations can be the logical initiators of such action. The complex issues surrounding long-term community development are analyzed, primarily through case studies, historical background, and discussion of various approaches. The final chapters address two specific areas traditionally dear to the hearts to faith-based groups: the provision of health care services and working with high-risk youth.

Although the contributors are experts in their field, they write with the layperson in mind, explaining concepts in a language that can be understood by someone with little experience. Each chapter ends with a list of additional readings; helpful charts, checklists, and resource lists occur frequently throughout. Perhaps most valuable are the numerous case studies and examples that clearly illustrate the discussions. One potential weakness is that Queen, despite his Islamic associations, has assembled a roster of contributors chiefly representing a variety of Christian traditions. Non-Christians should not be too troubled by this, however, for the authors are sensitive to other faiths and take pains to draw examples from other religions.

In an environment that sometimes features a strong anti-religious bias among human and social services providers, there is a dearth of perspectives that, although fair and not uncritical, are sympathetic to the motivations, needs, and potential strengths of faith-based organizations while also providing practical advice. Serving Those in Need will help fill the void.

For citations to additional literature on this topic, refer to Literature of the Nonprofit Sector Online using the subject headings "Faith-based organizations" or "Nonprofit organizations-management".