Black church
Multiracial churches increase as blacks, whites learn to worship together
By Adelle M. Banks — June 29, 2018
(RNS) — As a new study shows that multiracial churches are on the rise, leaders of intercultural congregations say it takes perseverance to maintain diversity in their pulpits and their pews.
Start 2018 with these six religion podcasts
By Aysha Khan — January 5, 2018
(RNS) — Podcasts for the spiritually curious abound. Here is a selection for people of faiths — and even those who are done with it.
Black clergy: NAACP on a ‘path toward irrelevancy’
By Adelle M. Banks — July 14, 2017
(RNS) — The bishops cited their concerns about the future of the NAACP while acknowledging both historically black organizations are 'old' and need to revamp.
Diversity trouble at Duke Divinity
By Lauren Markoe — May 19, 2017
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) Black students at Duke Divinity School demand to be taught their own story from professors who understand the life and witness of the black church, writes Carl W. Kenney.
Black clergy decry Trump policies as detrimental to African-Americans
By Adelle M. Banks — May 15, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) The clergy members called on fellow African-Americans to speak up and urged Congress to vote down proposals by the new administration that they believe would help the rich and hurt the sick and the poor.
More than $180,000 raised for church burned, marked with ‘Vote Trump’ graffiti
By Adelle M. Banks — November 3, 2016
(RNS) Thousands of people pledged to raise money for Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville by midday Thursday (Nov. 3), far exceeding the original goal of $10,000.
Faith leaders ask Clinton not to ignore black church concerns
By Adelle M. Banks — November 1, 2016
(RNS) The letter, signed by Democrats and independents, outlined frustrations with some of Clinton’s statements about abortion and requested a meeting 'during your first 100 days in office.'
Pastor cuts Trump short during anti-Clinton speech in Flint
By RNS staff — September 15, 2016
FLINT, Mich. — As Trump went after Clinton for her support of global trade deals, pastor Faith Green Timmons interrupted to tell Trump her church had not invited him to 'give a political speech.'
Pastor faces backlash after equating bias against LGBT community with slavery
By Eliel Cruz — July 29, 2015
When he compared the dehumanization of slavery to the bias faced now by LGBT people, many were upset.
Gunman kills 9 in attack on historic black church in Charleston
By Reuters — June 18, 2015
(Reuters) The suspect opened fired during Wednesday night's prayer service at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Q&A: From Ferguson to Baltimore, black America’s faith is tested
By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2015
(RNS) "How do you have an unshattered faith in the face of the death of your son?" said the Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas. "That is what black faith has always been about."
Black clergy plan African tour to fight homophobia
By Eliel Cruz — April 16, 2015
They’re out to combat messages from anti-LGBT evangelicals
Gardner C. Taylor, dean of black preachers, dies at 96
By Adelle M. Banks — April 6, 2015
(RNS) Michael Eric Dyson called Taylor's preaching style a blend of brilliant metaphors and an "uncanny sense of rhythmic timing put to dramatic but not crassly theatrical effect.''
Black churches are no longer ground zero for civil rights activism
By Adelle M. Banks — December 18, 2014
(RNS) “The church is jumping in to lend its support -- not to lead it -- which is a different place from where the black church has been historically," said Baltimore pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant.
Black christianity is not inherently homophobic
By Eliel Cruz — December 18, 2014
Theologian Broderick Greer on black church and homophobia.
