The division and reunification of an African American non-secular organization: Factors that caused the split and merger of a religious organization

This qualitative case study addresses this research question: What are the factors that caused the division and reunification of an African American non-secular organization? In 1972, the United Holy Church of America (UHCA), an African American religious organization, experienced conflict that resulted in a 23-year split of the non-secular organization; then in May 2000, UHCA officially reunited. Through the lens of the religious context, this non-secular organization is explored to determine the factors associated with why and how the religious organization both divided and reunified.; This study explores the history of African American non-secular organizations. To achieve an understanding of the nature of the conflict that caused the division of the organization described in this study, this study examines conflict with special emphasis upon African American organizations, leadership, and the non-secular organization. Next, literature on merging and reunification is presented in order to contextualize the organization's process for the merger that reunited the organization after 23 years of separation.; The researcher used qualitative methodology to describe the factors that led to the division and reunification of the non-secular African American organization and to investigate the perceptions of both leaders and members who were involved in the process of the split and reunification before, during, and after the organizational change.; Division and Reunification of African American Non-Secular Organization Archival records, observation, document review, and interviews—as presented by Stake (1994) and Yin (1995)—were the means by which data were collected. Ten leader participants and 15 member participants were selected purposefully and with certain criteria. Each participant was interviewed and served as an informant for this study.; This study offers the following conclusions about the division of the non-secular organization: (1) leadership and conflict led to the division; (2) property and assets were major factors in the division; (3) changing the organization's name was a major factor in the division; (4) changing the charter of the organization was a major factor in the division; (5) a mandate played a major role in the division; (6) an actual walkout (thousands of members left) confirmed the division/separation; and (7) the complete formation of a new organization was a major cause for the division of the organization.; This study offers the following conclusions about the reunification of the non-secular organization: (1) a fellowship period played a major role in the reunification of the organization; (2) new leadership contributed greatly to the reunification; (3) a transition team was a major factor in reunification; (4) a model for reunification was a major factor in the reunification; and (5) a reunification ceremony was a major factor for reunification.