Black churches
Charlie Dates counters John MacArthur’s declaration that MLK ‘was not a Christian’
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — In an open letter, the Chicago pastor compares the California pastor to King opponents George Wallace and J. Edgar Hoover, calling MacArthur 'them in postmodern dress.'
Faith leaders renew push for ‘accurate’ Black history education in Florida
By Adelle M. Banks — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Training sessions in Tallahassee and in Orlando will feature curriculum companies whose products could enhance those wishing to teach Black history in schools and churches.
In ‘Gospel’ docuseries, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores Black church’s music, ministers
By Adelle M. Banks — February 9, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Gates reveals early tension within the genres as some musicians held to music only of faith and others were comfortable far afield from gospel music.
Biden praises Black churches and says the world would be a different place without their example
By Zeke Miller — January 29, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The president is trying to spread the message that he's loyal to South Carolina, which saved his campaign in 2020.
Dozens of Black churches receive total of $4 million for historic preservation
By Adelle M. Banks — January 15, 2024
(RNS) — This year’s grants, which range from $50,000 to $200,000, will allow congregations to address issues such as mold contamination, demolition, water filtration and deferred maintenance.
Prominent Black church in New York sued for gender bias by woman who sought to be its senior pastor
By Darren Sands — January 8, 2024
(AP) — Along with the church, the lawsuit specifically names the search committee chair, Valerie S. Grant, accusing her of behaving inappropriately by asking Marshall Turman questions and pressing issues not broached with her male counterparts.
Pandemic boosted resilience, hurt financial health of Black churches, says report
By Adelle M. Banks — January 4, 2024
(RNS) — A new report highlights the challenges faced by Black and multiracial congregations, as well as their resilience, in the wake of COVID-19.
Black churches play a key role in connecting communities to broadband internet
By Adelle M. Banks and Yonat Shimron — October 6, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There are churches near, and people near, places where there are no internet carriers at all,’ said the Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner.
Churches must lead development in Black communities — if they want it to get done
By Quintin E. Primo — August 18, 2023
(RNS) — Black churches are primed to lead a new kind of movement, one centered on economic development and closing the staggering racial wealth gap.
The Rev. Amos Brown, vice chair of California’s reparations task force, calls for action
By Adelle M. Banks — June 29, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We’ve got to act and stop just talking, not just saying we are sad,’ Brown said.
Four historically Black churches awarded grants to preserve work of pioneering architects
By Fiona André — June 15, 2023
(RNS) — The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund partnered with Conserving Black Modernism, which focuses on preserving modern architecture by Black architects and designers.
Virtual worshippers often satisfied, but more Americans choose in-person services
By Adelle M. Banks — June 2, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Broadly speaking, the survey finds that most Americans who watch religious services on screens are happy with them,’ Pew researchers found.
Half online, half in person: The state of Black churches now and possibly on Easter
By Adelle M. Banks — April 6, 2023
(RNS) — As Easter approaches, leaders of Black denominations use cautious language even as they hope for a resurrection in the numbers of people who return to the pews.
35 Black churches to receive total of $4 million for preservation work
By Adelle M. Banks — January 16, 2023
(RNS) — The new grant program honors the history of Black churches ‘while also investing in their physical permanence and financial sustainment into the future,’ an official said.
PHOTO GALLERY: The history and diversity of African American religious rituals
By Adelle M. Banks — January 10, 2023
(RNS) — A new photo book from the National Museum of African American History and Culture explores Black history through its range of spiritual traditions.
Page 1 of 4
