New Report Contradicts Past Claims of Black Church Decline

A recent groundbreaking study concluded that there are at least 1,210 megachurches in the United States today, but the large scale participation of African Americans in the 2,000+ congregations has es

A recent groundbreaking study concluded that there are at least 1,210 megachurches in the United States today, but the large scale participation of African Americans in the 2,000+ congregations has escaped notice, according to a newly released research on black churches.

Pulpit & Pew published a report on trends among black churches and black pastoral leadership, revealing a resiliency and strength that previous studies had stated otherwise. In the research, carried out by Lawrence Mamiya, a veteran student of the black church in America, African American Christians were cited to have been disproportionately attracted to megachurch congregations.

African Americans constitute about 25 percent of the participants in megachurch congregations, both black and white, according to scholar Cheryl Gilkes in the study.

Sociologist Scott Thumma of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research noted that "twelve percent of churches without a black majority have a significant black presence among their regular attenders."

The report disputes earlier studies conducted by evangelical researcher George Barna who cited a decline in the African American church community. According to to the recent study, the last quarter of the 20th century saw an explosive growth of black megachurches.

Within the growing megachurch movement, "Prosperity Gospel" has taken on an increasing trend. The report accounted the spread of the prosperity message to the rise of a black middle class in the Civil Rights era. Not all of the pastors of black megachurches, however, agree with the prosperity gospel. The study stated that some pastors, including the Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, have been critical of the injustices of American capitalism and the prosperity message.

Dr. Cain Hope Felder, professor at Howard University School of Divinity, had stated the need for a more holistic approach to scripture. He told The Christian Post in a past interview that the rise of megachurches and their corporate executive model could be potentially dangerous.

Criticisms of black megachurches were noted in the Pulpit & Pew study.

Bishop John Hurst Adams of the A.M.E. Church said that both black and white megachurches lack emphasis on justice, a trend that Felder had also brought attention to. While the large congregations fail to engage the critical issues of justice and focus more on "praise worship," as some church leaders say, media attention has largely been on megachurches. On the other end, smaller churches, which carry the daily burden of the struggle for justice in most black communities, according to the study, have been largely ignored by media.

Felder mentioned an example of the one-way media coverage. Megafest 2005 with Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of the megachurch The Potter's House, drew over 100,000 people along with wide media attention. Meanwhile, civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson held a Voting Rights Act march in the same city and month, and media coverage was not as large.

Despite several aspects of "institutional weakness," the report paints a hopeful portrait of black churches and their pastors.

The studies "reveal a loyalty and depth of commitment to this institutional area that is not found in other sectors of society, even among white churches," stated Mamiya.

The report is the final one in a series of research reports that have been published during the first phase of Pulpit & Pew. The project, with generous support from Lilly Endowment, has sought to bring together a wide body of research to gain purchase on the state of pastoral leadership in Christian churches in the United States.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.