The Black Church and Her Decline of Influence Since the 21st Century

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BLACK CHURCH?

Sociologist Dr. C. Eric Lincoln wrote:

The Black Church has no challenger as the cultural womb of the black community. Not only did it give birth to new institutions such as schools, banks, insurance companies, and low income housing, it also provided an academy and an arena for political activities, and it nurtured young talent for musical, dramatic, and artistic development.

Additionally, sociologist Dr. Jason Shelton noted that the Black Church has historically served as a space for cultural expression and resilience, nurturing African American aesthetic forms and providing a foundation for community building. 

However, according to every metric, the Black Church is rapidly declining in membership and influence. In his recent book "The Contemporary Black Church: The New Dynamics of African American Religion,” Dr. Shelton highlights that within the Black community, the Black Church has moved from being an essential institution to a more voluntary one, with participation now based on individual choice. 

Why has the Black Church experience a precipitous decline in influence and membership? Why is the Black Church no longer viewed as a vital and valuable resource in Black communities?

Catch the entire conversation here.