And according to Dougherty, the findings were “startling.” This is a startling contrast to previous research that reported multiracial congregations are less stable, Kevin D. Dougherty, associate professor of sociology at Baylor University and lead author of the study, told phys.org.
The researchers also found that both white and non-white Methodist churches reflect higher attendance when located in white neighborhoods. White churches in non-white neighborhoods fared the worst and had the lowest attendance levels. Overall, our understanding of racial diversity and congregational participation remains ambiguous, Martí, the L. Richardson King professor of sociology at Davidson College, told phys.org. In this study, we consider: What does the history of demographic change in local churches and their neighborhoods tell us about the potential for congregational survival over time?