Book

The Seminole Baptist churches of Oklahoma: maintaining a traditional community

University of Oklahoma Press233 • Published In 1999 • Pages: xii, 260

By: Schultz, Jack M. (Jack Maurice).

Abstract
This is an ethnography of a Seminole Baptist church in Oklahoma. Schultz discusses the various ceremonies which outside of Sunday services includes weekly Prayer Meetings, Fourth Sunday Meetings, and Big (or Communion) Meetings. The latter two include members of other Baptist churches, involving the broader community. Schultz shows that far from being a mechanism of assimilation, Christianity has been adapted to maintain Seminole community and identity, incorporating some elements from their traditional rituals and belief system. A major part of the study focuses on one congregation and the turmoil and conflict revolving around the selection of new pastor. Borrowing heavily from the work of Erving Goffman, Schultz coins the term 'congregational face' to talk about how community is maintained through face-saving acts by leaders.
Subjects
Ingroup antagonisms
Community structure
Priesthood
Congregations
Organized ceremonial
culture
Seminole
HRAF PubDate
2003
Region
North America
Sub Region
Eastern Woodlands
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 2001
Field Date
1990-1994
Coverage Date
1990-1994
Coverage Place
Seminole County, Oklahoma, United States
Notes
by Jack M. Schultz
Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-253) and index
LCCN
98048406
LCSH
Seminole Indians