Breaking away from those who see the structure of family life in the black community as pathological, this study wishes to assist a lay audience in identifying the strengths of black families. The book provides both insights and resources for engaging churches and black families in the common task of enhancing black family life. Where the church's ministry with families is concerned, the book addresses various questions, such as: (1) what the goal, of the black family life should be; (2) how the church might go about assisting the black family in the struggle of positive human development; (3) where the black family should fit within the programmatic priorities of the church; and (4) what the role of the black church should be, given the historical character of the black family's existence and the continuing forces of disintegration that threaten it. A study guide, outlining ways in which the book might be used in the black church's educational ministries with black families, is appended. In addition to the assistance this guide offers, it calls attention to a number of other relevant resources that might prove helpful to the leader in conducting study sessions based upon this text. Chapters in the book focus on: (1) black families in perspective, (2) African heritage, (3) slavery--the Americanization of the Africans, and, (4) teaching children to "walk tall." Author/AM)