Black churches
Chicago pastor James Meeks bids a tearful farewell after 38 years at Salem Baptist
By Bob Smietana — January 9, 2023
(RNS) — After 38 years as a pastor, Meeks said he wanted to leave while his church was still doing well. The Rev. Charlie Dates, who grew up at Salem, will become pastor of one of Chicago's largest congregations. The farewell service was attended by politicians and friends, including Jesse Jackson and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Progressive National Baptists, AFL-CIO reunite for midterms voter initiative
By Adelle M. Banks — August 11, 2022
(RNS) — ‘We want to make that connection between the two and we want these two entities to feel comfortable again as they did in the ’60s,’ a Baptist leader said.
After Roe’s fall, Black churches support some or all reproductive health options
By Adelle M. Banks — July 1, 2022
(RNS) — The high court ruling gave states ‘a license to put the lives of millions of Black and poor women at severe risk,’ said the Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson.
Raphael Warnock says his Senate colleagues sometimes ask, ‘Rev, pray for me’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 14, 2022
(RNS) — ‘I enjoyed being a pastor, and, in my heart, that’s who I am essentially — not only a pastor but the son of two pastors.’
Red Lip Theology: Candice Benbow’s love letter to Black women in the Black church
By Adelle M. Banks — January 18, 2022
(RNS) — Benbow says Black churches have tended to ‘center Black men and their truths and realities at the expense of women and girls.’
Women breaking through to top roles in Black churches
By Adelle M. Banks and Peter Smith — December 9, 2021
(RNS/AP) — Most major Black Christian denominations in the U.S. have no doctrinal bar to ordained women leaders. Yet denominational leadership remained all-male until the 21st century, and women are still the exception in the top rungs.
‘COVID has been harder on us’: Some Black churches remain hesitant to reopen
By Adelle M. Banks — October 4, 2021
(RNS) — Black churches reflect a cautious approach on the part of ministers, reopening task forces and the average people currently not in the pews.
Women making strides in leadership of Black denominations amid hesitancy
By Adelle M. Banks — September 22, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Whenever a woman rises, or ascends, to a leadership position in a national organization, it’s always significant,’ said the Rev. Gina Stewart.
Proud Boys leader pleads guilty for burning church’s Black Lives Matter banner
By Kathryn Post — July 20, 2021
(RNS) — Enrique Tarrio pleaded guilty to two charges on Monday, including one involving the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a historic Black church in Washington, D.C.
‘Denomination matters’ in Black-focused faith-based health programs, scholars say
By Adelle M. Banks — June 28, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Faith-based health initiatives need to appropriately integrate the faith practices and norms of Black church members with denomination in mind,’ Duke scholars say.
Black community has new option for health care: the church
By Carrie Antlfinger — June 17, 2021
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Some Black church leaders want to extend their efforts beyond the fight against COVID-19 and give their flocks a place to seek health care for other ailments at a place they trust — the church.
African Americans attend church, Bible study more than others, but Black ‘nones’ increasing
By Adelle M. Banks — April 16, 2021
(RNS) — Gen Zers are both the most likely to call themselves 'religious but not spiritual' and the least likely to say they are 'spiritual but not religious.'
Faith leaders push back against proposed ‘Souls to the Polls’ voting restrictions
By Adelle M. Banks — March 12, 2021
(RNS) — 'They’re trying, with the voter suppression laws, to create a system of apartheid where they who have the power will retain the power,' one minister said.
Want to understand Black experience? Learn about African American faith, survey finds
By Adelle M. Banks — February 19, 2021
(RNS) — A significant percentage of Black church attendees — 69% — agree that pastors of Black congregations are the African American community’s most important leaders.
Black churchgoers report powerlessness in politics, agency in Black congregations
By Adelle M. Banks — January 18, 2021
(RNS) — Researchers say that the Black church may be providing a respite for Black people who feel they do not have sufficient political power.
