Photo from Alfred Street Baptist Church
The Huffington Post explores an interesting phenomenon revealed in the statistics of declining church attendance; traditionally African-American congregations have held steady, even among millennials, a group whose lack of attendance at other churches is a significant factor measuring decline.
The Huffington Post suggests that the churches fulfill important social roles in their communities.
From the article:
There are numerous reasons why some black churches retain their members, but, most prominently, the church has played a historic role in black life that has fostered a continuing strong black Protestant identity. Members and visitors at Alfred Street say the church’s holistic ministry — the preaching, the singing and the community outreach — are what draw them in and keep them there.
“I think black churches have always been very pivotal in social movements and outreach,” said Kelli Slater, 20, a Howard University student from Mississippi who was visiting Alfred Street at the invitation of her older sister. “I think black churches do a whole lot more than religion.”
What do you think about the idea that churches involved in social justice and outreach is ‘more than religion’? Do you think churches that ‘just do religion’ aren’t really practicing the faith?