Sunday morning is still the most segregated time in American life.
More than 8 in 10 congregations are made up of one predominant racial group.
And most churchgoers think their church is fine the way it is.
Two-thirds of American churchgoers (67 percent) say their church has done enough to become racially diverse. And less than half think their church should become more diverse.
Those are among the findings of a study of church segregation by Nashville-based LifeWay Research. Researchers surveyed 994 churchgoers—who attend worship at least at holidays or more often—about race and the church. They also surveyed 1,000 Americans as well as 1,000 senior pastors.
Churchgoers, researchers found, are lukewarm about diversity. More than half (53 percent) disagree with the statement, “My church needs to become more ethnically diverse”. Four in 10 agree. Researchers also found churchgoers who oppose more diversity, do so with gusto (33%).
Invitation to Action: Celebrate the diversity that exists in your centers. Engage in inclusive practices when you have racial and ethnic minorities visit. They will more than likely come back, if made to feel welcome.
Affirmation: The world we all live in is a multiracial and multicultural mosaic. We value the diversity of our membership and guests and the richness of experiences we share because of it. And so, it is!
Resources: Building Relationships in Cross-Cultural Churches