News

Most US Pastors Speak Out in Response to George Floyd’s Death

Survey finds many still worry discussing race is “too political.”

Christianity Today June 16, 2020
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images

As protests continue across America, Christians may be shifting their views of the church’s role in addressing racism, becoming more outspoken and involved in the current movement for racial justice.

Nearly all US pastors (94%) agree that “the church has a responsibility to denounce racism,” and most (62%) say their church has made a statement on the unrest stemming from the May 25 death of George Floyd, according to a Barna Church Pulse Poll released today.

The poll, conducted over the past week, also found that 76 percent of pastors say the church should support peaceful protests occurring in response to Floyd’s killing.

More research is needed to be sure Christians’ attitude toward racism is changing, said David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group. “But there are a couple of indications that pastors are as open as they’ve ever been” to addressing racial discrimination.

Nearly two-thirds of pastors say they have spoken out to address the moment, and about the same “strongly agree” that it’s important for church leadership to publicly show support for people of color. Many churches, denominations, and ministries released statements on Floyd’s death, along with resources on racial reconciliation.In a sample of the statements from some of the biggest evangelical organizations—groups like the Assemblies of God, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and several of the largest megachurches in the country—most appealed to Christian teachings on justice, the imago Dei, and lament.

Many pastors also took the opportunity to preach on race. A Pew Research Center survey conducted earlier this year showing that white evangelicals were far less likely than black Protestants (39% vs. 62%) to believe churches should “offer sermons that address political topics” like “race relations.” (Esau McCaulley, a Wheaton College professor and black Anglican priest, previously urged pastors in both majority white and majority black and brown churches to clearly address racism from the pulpit in an article for CT Pastors.)

According to Barna data published last year, 42 percent of white Christians said they believe America’s history of slavery and racism continues to impact African Americans, and about 1 in 5 pastors (19%) across all ethnic groups said there’s nothing the church should do to respond to America’s history of racism.

Yet, in recent weeks, cities across the nation have witnessed large public gatherings of Christians. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, for instance, an interracial prayer service was scheduled for June 16. Thousands gathered for prayer near the White House on Sunday.

In Birmingham, Alabama, the predominately black Greater St. John Baptist Church has intensified its friendship with Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, a predominately white congregation. Some 150 members of the two churches gathered June 15 to discuss privilege, poverty, and the intersection of race and religion.

Following three recent killings of African Americans by civilians and police (Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and Breonna Taylor in Kentucky), “both churches saw a need for discussion to take place,” Greater St. John pastor Nathaniel Brooks said. “It was a domino effect.”

Around a third of the 400 pastors surveyed continue to believe the church should not be involved in movements aimed at political change, according to this week’s Barna poll.

A majority (61%) also said that the current conversations about race are “too political.”

“In this moment,” Kinnaman said, “church leaders are going to have to lead with humility and with being connected to the thoughts and perceptions” of others.

David Roach is a writer in Nashville.

Our Latest

The Bulletin

NYC Mayoral Race, Trump Softens to Ukraine, and Can Horror Films Edify?

Mamdani leads NYC mayoral race, Trump-Putin relationship cools, and why horror movies might help you cope in a horrible world.

The Bigfoot and UFOs Podcast Introducing Listeners to Christ

“We want to make a space where people can scratch an itch about the weird stuff they’ve encountered, but our heart for this is for people to encounter God.”

News

What Would a Liberal Democracy in Lebanon Look Like?

An interfaith group created a Youth Mock Parliament to imagine a nonsectarian government.

Analysis

‘Drug Boat’ Strikes Prompt Questions about Human Dignity, Executive Power

When the president exercises lethal force without congressional authority, we all lose.

News

Brazilian Evangelicals See God at Work Among the Working Class

Small Pentecostal churches across poor peripheral neighborhoods fuel Protestant growth nationwide.

Wire Story

Top ACNA Leader Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations

Following a string of scandals, the accusations against Archbishop Steve Wood come amid plans for the denomination to overhaul its abuse response.

The Russell Moore Show

 Listener Question: Should Communion Be Open to All Believers?

Russell takes a listener’s question about church membership and the Communion table.

Anti-Fragile Faith in Chaotic Times

Slow Theology highlights how a long obedience in the same direction grows.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube