Trends of the Past 25 Years in the African American Church – Part One
MARTHA SIMMONS is the President and Publisher of The African American Pulpit and the creator of The African American Lectionary.
Large portions of this blog were printed in the Spring 2007 issue of The African American Pulpit. The response to it then suggested that it resonated with so many. Accordingly, I am republishing it in condensed form, with updates in some areas.
In the last 25 years, historically African American churches and denominations have experienced more change than all of African American Christianity has experienced since its formal beginnings in North America in the late 1700s. Although some trends that have emerged over the last quarter century will not endure, there are others that clearly will. In this and the next blog I provide, in alphabetical order, a total of 23 of the major trends in the African American faith Christian community from the past 25 years, collected from more than 500 preachers, pastors, scholars, and laypersons from a wide variety of denominational and nondenominational faith communities.
I begin this blog with the newest trend which was not mentioned in the Spring 2007 issue.
1. Churches Calling Young Pastors for Churches of All Sizes - In the last ten years or so we have seen an interesting phenomenon about which I hope scholars will soon begin to write—churches calling young pastors for churches of all sizes. My research of African American churches shows that generally pastors were called as follows: In their 20s pastors were called to their first church and stayed there approximately seven years and many pastored two churches at the same time. In their 30s they sought and were called to larger churches and stayed at those churches seven to twelve years. In their 40s many sought and were called to the church from which they retired. Of course there are exceptions where pastors went to churches in their 20s or 30s and stayed until they died or retired but most did not over the past 100 years.
But in the last ten years or so this has changed! Preachers are now asking, as was said in a recent book “Who Moved My Church?” In other words, what happened to the church where I thought I would be senior pastor in my 30s and 40s? What happened is that churches flipped the script. So, while you still have most small churches calling pastors in their 20s you also have mid-size-member (500–700) churches calling persons in their 20s, and large churches that once called pastors who were 40-plus are now intentionally and aggressively seeking persons in their 30s. What does all of this mean? At this early juncture, we can only speculate. Early findings suggest at least three things: 1. Pastors who believe that they are called to serve large congregations must complete their education sooner and firmly make their presence known. Along with the old ways of finding pastors, churches are also using the Internet and related sources to see who is available and who is the most competent.2. Fewer churches are available. Yes. Churches are dying and shrinking. A quick drive around any major city shows this although we do not want to admit it. Also, with the rise of women in ministry, churches that men once assumed would be available are less available and women show no signs of lessening the rates at which they are entering ministry and seminary and eventually much larger numbers of women will be called to pastor. And since churches are dying and shrinking and with the numbers of men and women in ministry, clergy will now have to work smarter and harder to obtain jobs in all specialty areas of ministry (Executive Minister, Assistant Pastor, Youth Pastor, Christian Education Director, etc.) and definitely as pastors.3. Those in all age groupings will wait longer to obtain a church and to move to another church, and some will find that the church from which they retire will be smaller than they ever imagined. Time will tell what all of this means and how it will play out. But, for the moment, this is the trend.
2. Clergy Couples and Marital Ministry Teams - With the meteoric increase in the number of women attending seminary since the 1980s, we have also seen a dramatic increase in the number of clergy couples. Although the number is still relatively small, indications are that the number will continue to grow as churches become more comfortable with this model of leadership. Likely, as laypersons and women see women in the role of pastor, this will lead to more women starting churches and in women being called to pastor established churches.
3. From Sunday School to Theme-based Christian Education Classes - Sunday school has long served as the foundational component of Christian education in the African American Protestant faith community. Children learned the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and how David slew Goliath in Sunday School. As teens and adults, they were taught how to apply those Bible lessons to their lives. Now with parishioners living farther and farther away from their local church, the availability of a large number of books on a variety of religious subjects, and an increased awareness that different age groups have different learning needs, many churches have introduced theme-based Bible study. But what has happened to Sunday school and what are the implications of veering away from basic Bible lessons? Various sources that collect such information show that unfortunately, while many Sunday Schools and similar training vehicles are broken, the Church has yet to find substitutes that are working. Accordingly, Christians are more Biblically illiterate than ever.
4. Higher Compensation for Musicians - Good music has always been important to African American churches, but because of a shortage of musicians, the amount of money that can be earned by successful musicians in the music industry, and the salaries paid to musicians in mega churches, church musicians in small- and mid-size churches are charging more for their services. Some musicians now provide services for multiple congregations each Sunday, while many others are doing the same each month. This has left some churches without quality musical accompaniment on a regular basis and has also left some pastors feeling that they are being held hostage by the financial requirements of musicians. This creates a catch-22 for pastors who are unable to pay musicians’ large salaries out of limited church budgets, while yet needing quality music in order to attract and retain (tithing) church members. Unfortunately, no entity has stepped forth to offer viable solutions.
Hopefully some of the music aggregations that regularly meet each year (GMWA, Dorsey Institute, the Hampton Musicians and Choir Directors Guild, and others) and the entities that have historically trained musicians, along with church pastors, will soon develop viable solutions.Is it truly possible to generate a salary guide for church musicians? It may be possible; but it will be difficult given that some churches operate within complex hierarchies while others operate as totally independent entities. One well-known salary guide used by trained musicians is the American Guild of Organists Salary Guide. Although not perfect—and no guide would be—it has proven useful to white churches and may provide a foundation from which African American musicians can begin to create their own salary guides that will take into consideration the realities of African American churches with fewer than 400 members regularly in attendance.
5. Hiring Marketing Professionals - Along with the increased number of mega churches and millionaire pastors has come the use of marketing professionals. While most churches do not have such persons on staff, more and more pastors are engaging marketing professionals, if only occasionally, as part of a strategy for increasing the church’s presence (and their own) locally and nationally. The advent of the Internet has contributed greatly to this trend. Marketing companies now send weekly e-mails and E-blasts online to churches, members, and elsewhere announcing conferences, book signings, revivals, and other church events. The rise of media in church culture has had such a dramatic impact that many preachers feel lost trying to keep up with all of the changes. However, as with any other major cultural shift that impacts the church, preachers and church leaders at least need to understand the role of media so that they can make correct decisions concerning its use. (Valerie Williams’s article on page 47 of the Spring 2007 issue provided helpful hints for those who want to begin marketing efforts.)
6. An Increase in the Number of African American Mega Churches - According to the Hartford Institute for Religious Study, as of 2008, there are approximately 1,366 mega churches in the United States. These are located predominately in four states: Texas, Georgia, California, and Florida. Churches are classified as “mega” if they have at least 2,000 members regularly in attendance. Of the 1,366 congregations, almost 600 are African American. However, with the advent of technology, the reach of this small number of African American mega churches has been unparalleled. Time will tell whether these mega churches, many of which are nondenominational, will begin to affect the roles historically held by denominations.
7. Increased Clergy Compensation - For the first time in history, numerous African American clergy are gaining six-figure salaries and other amenities (luxury cars and trucks, furs, jewelry, luxury homes, etc.). Although this is an issue that is constantly discussed today, the truth of the matter is that because the majority of African American churches have 250 or fewer members, only a small number of preachers are receiving large salaries solely from their churches. Many continue to be bi-vocational, and others are finding creative ways to earn additional income by forming ministry-related businesses. However, because those who are earning substantial salaries loom so large due to media attention, this trend may effect how churches respond with the salaries they offer and how those entering their first or second pastorate may approach salary negotiations.
8. Increased Pentecostal Influences in Worship - Much discussion continues concerning the tenor and tone of today’s worship services. Those African American church services now featured on television often present worshippers in continuous states of what W. E. B. Du Bois called “frenzy” in his book The Souls of Black Folk. The trend toward this type of worship is most noticeable in nondenominational and newer churches as well as those with younger pastors. However, it is also evident in many denominational churches, especially in churches with more than 1,000 members. For more information on Holiness-Pentecostalism in general, see Cheryl J. Sanders, Saints in Exile: The Holiness-Pentecostal Experience in African American Religion and Culture (Oxford, 2nd ed., 1999). For a helpful article on Pentecostal style worship, see Chris Armstrong, “Embrace Your Inner Pentecostal” at ChristianityToday.com March 19, 2006 (accessed March 24, 2006).
9. Increased Use of Media and Technology - The past quarter century has seen a dramatic increase in African American preachers with radio programs and television broadcasts. A small number have achieved regular national and international airtime. A few churches are even podcasting1 and a much larger number of preachers are broadcasting their sermons via websites. This increased use of media in churches has also produced more print publications, including congregational magazines of the caliber to be sold by subscription.
Numerous churches now have PowerPoint projector screens on which song lyrics, Scriptures, announcements, and key sermon points are projected. Some also use video screens to provide persons seated in overflow areas the opportunity to participate in worship. Technology has even found its way into Bible studies and Sunday school classes. Some pastors now regularly use PowerPoint presentations from which they teach. A few pastors even ask members to bring their laptops to Bible study classes for the purpose of “Googling” websites and taking notes. This trend is here to stay. Hopefully, preachers will make wise use of media to help communities and to make the Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. For more information on this subject, see High Tech Worship: Using Presentational Technologies Wisely by Quentin Schultze (Baker Books, 2004) and Len Wilson’s The Wired Church: Making Media Ministry (Abingdon Press, 1999).
10. Joint Venture between Churches and CDCs and other 501(c)3s - While churches have used Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to build senior housing and other businesses for more than 50 years, the number of churches creating CDCs to construct a larger variety of building projects and social service projects has greatly increased. Additionally, more and more churches are teaming up with other 501(c)3s (nonprofits) to start everything from schools, health clinics, and daycare centers to restaurants, boutiques, and bookstores. An increase in the number of churches engaging in this trend is long overdue and in a weakened economy, badly needed. Given the continued myriad of problems that continue to plague the African American community and the fact that the church is still a primary resource used by so many who are suffering, churches must begin to collaborate. Gone are the days when churches can afford to attempt to fight problems such as gang violence, sexual violence, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, HIV/AIDS, and helping poor and frail elders alone. It is no longer reasonable for ten churches to exist in a neighborhood and the neighborhood suffer because preachers cannot work together to craft solutions where all share the spiritual and financial responsibilities, the benefits, and the burdens. Hopefully, this trend of working together will firmly take hold in the African American faith community even at the denominational level.
11. Lawsuits Involving Churches - While many people are more familiar with the lawsuits brought against the Roman Catholic Church, less has been said about the increasing number of African American churches that have been sued in the last 25 years. More persons are suing churches for sexual harassment, employment violations, and fiscal mismanagement by pastors and church officers. This trend suggests the need for churches to have strong, valid contractual agreements in all their business dealings and follow proper protocols in hiring and firing and in managing finances. This trend also suggests that gone are the days when churches should place important contractual matters in the hands of well-meaning but untrained persons. It also may point to the need for churches to do more thorough background checks on all potential employees, including pastors. See Stephen Chawaga’s article in Christianity Today, May/June, volume 47, number 3, page 55, and Richard Hammar’s article “Ten Legal Risks Facing Churches and Leaders,” Enrichment Magazine, Winter 2004 volume 9, number 1, pages 78–85.
Note
1. Podcast is defined as “digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player” (New Oxford American Dictionary, 2005). A podcast may also be played on a personal computer.
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