Olson's sample of clergy did not seek the closing of the Washington offices, but most see the offices as having focus and expertise in dealing with their denomination's positions on national and international issues, while individual clergy focused largely on local concerns. Clergy already interested in legislative or international issues were more likely to network with their denomination's Washington offices, she said. Michael Moody, an assistant professor of sociology at United Methodist-related Boston University, examined the environmental advocacy of mainline Protestant organizations to illustrate the advocacy role mainline denominations have played in determining public policy in recent years. On environmental issues, mainline groups have worked in coalitions with other denominations, faith groups and secular environmental organizations. One such partnership was successful in defeating the changes proposed for the Endangered Species Act in 1995 and 1996.
Educational campaigns built around Earth Day continue to be a major mainline effort.
Casey expressed concern for the divisive competition that could arise between faith-based groups that vie with each other for government dollars to fund social service programs. Focusing particularly on the present and future were John J. DiIulio Jr., director of the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, together with two congressmen and others. Debate on how best to help disadvantaged Americans and how to deploy government resources for this will reap dividends for all of society, he said. If all congregational resources were doubled and spent on nothing but social services, they would not equal the federal expenditure on Medicaid, he asserted. He praised the churches for their role.