Building a Faith-Based Human Service Agency: A View from the Inside.

The article presents information on a case study of the development of a faith-based human service organization, the Community Ministries of Rockville, Maryland (CMR). Sectarian social welfare agencies have been actively involved in serving the needy in the U.S. The 2000 election of President George W. Bush and the establishment of a White House Office for Religious-based and Community Groups gave prominence to the provision of Charitable Choice. These organizations are perceived as more effective in changing the human behavior of individuals than traditional nonprofit agencies. CMR's budget in 1979 was $3,200, which only covered a very part time secretary and office supplies. Its office was in a Victorian home, adjacent to and owned by Rockville United Methodist Church. CMR was committed to advocating for a wide variety of human needs. The study features the unusual characteristics of a truly collaborative arrangement among local congregations. It is distinctly different from the traditional program approach of congregations as well as from those traditional sectarian organizations that have been serving American communities for decades.