By Aaron Earls NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Pastors seem more reluctant to address issues of race in their congregations today than four years ago. According to a Lifeway Research study, 74% of pastors agree their congregation would welcome a sermon on racial reconciliation, with 32% strongly agreeing. In 2016, however, 90% of pastors believed their congregation would be open to a … [Read more...]
Protestant pastors want churches to be diverse, see slow progress
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Protestant churches may be a little more diverse these days. And that’s a good thing, their pastors say. Eighty-one percent of Protestant pastors say their congregation is predominantly made up of one racial or ethnic group. That’s down from 86 percent four years ago, according to a new study from Nashville-based Lifeway … [Read more...]
Pastors choose sermons, personal touch to address matters of race
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Most Protestant senior pastors say their church is open to hearing about racial reconciliation. But few say church leaders are clamoring to hear more about it. And pastors seem to prefer personal relationships and prayer when it comes to addressing matters of race. Those are among the findings of a new study about pastors, churches … [Read more...]
