Trends Among Black Churches and Black Pastoral Leadership

From the author: "If black history can be seen as the flowing river of the metaphor, then black churches are the ships or vessels that navigate the often turgid river. They are the containers of small and large groups of black people who have pooled their often meager resources to build these ships and use them for worship, fellowship, education, public forum, concert hall, art gallery, solace, protection and liberation. But I have also extended the metaphor to viewing black pastors, men and women, as the ships’ captains and “river guides,” those who help their people navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of American society..."

Most university students and faculty members consider spirituality to be an important part of their lives, according to a study by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA scheduled to be released today.

• The study found that 80 percent of students are interested in spirituality,
• 76 percent are searching for meaning and purpose in life, and
• 81 percent attend religious services. 

The study found a link between students' political views and their religious involvement, stating that "among students who show high levels of religious engagement, conservatives outnumber liberals by better than three to one."

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In 1890 only about 34 percent of Americans belonged; by 1989 that share was 60 percent, down slightly from its peak of 64 percent in 1970.

This decline may reflect the rise of small storefront congregations, which are missed by membership surveys.