RUC Blog – Religion and Urban Culture

Religion and Urban Culture Blog

After the Pandemic?

Ten years from now, maybe five, the universe of congregations will look very different. The largest ones with the most resources will likely get larger still. Many of the smallest ones will be gone. And the others will face decisions harder than any they have ever considered.

Can congregations transcend tokenism in the quest for racial justice?

For Jevon Caldwell-Gross, pastor of teaching and guest experience at St. Luke’s United Methodist in Indianapolis, the George Floyd murder in April 2020 was a pivot point in the congregation’s determination to confront racism head-on. Before that, “my wife and a couple of other groups were really trying to have substantive conversations with the congregation…

Congregations and the rising tide of suburban poverty

“I assumed we would be looking to the inner city, because that’s where the poverty is,” Becky Hagarty said of her calling in 2001 to initiate a food pantry at Second Presbyterian Church. (See the related case study “Our Neighbors, Ourselves: Second Presbyterian Church and the Quest for Community Transformation.”) “When you want to do…