ReportWealth-Building ResourcesWhat are your life goals? We all have financial goals — you may want to save for education or retirement, get out of debt or buy a house. This resource guide includes …Topics: CMCCE, Economic Justice,
FeaturedEngaged SpiritualityTopics: CMCCE, Economic Justice,- VideoWellness and Wellbeing: Caring for Self and Community
Commentary“We Save Us” – 2025 Trends to Watch in Religion and SocietyMultiple wildfires broke out across Los Angeles the day before our team was scheduled to discuss 2025 trends to watch in religion and society. Our leader canceled the meeting, while other team …Topics: Disaster Response, Economic Justice, Innovation and Change, Politics, Racial Justice, Religious Leadership, trends- ResourcesCongregations Affected by LA County WildfiresIn the wake of disasters, congregations and faith organizations often respond to the immediate physical needs of their members and neighbors, while also providing emotional and spiritual care to those who have …Topics: Disaster Response, Southern California, Thriving Congregations
ReportReimagining Church: A ToolkitEven as religious affiliation declines in the United States, some faith groups across religious traditions continue to thrive. But what does it mean to thrive? How can congregations grow more vital as …Topics: Christianity, Innovation and Change, Thriving Congregations
ArchiveJoy Comes in the Morning: The Prophetic Social Witness of Rev. Cecil L. Murray“Joy Comes in the Morning” is a workbook with 14 sermons delivered by the Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray at First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) in Los Angeles. It is part of the …Topics: CMCCE, Murray Archive
CommentaryPreaching Into our Post-Election DividesThe following were Richard Flory’s opening remarks at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s Compelling Preaching Across Divides conference, held on November 20, 2024. Just two weeks ago, we had …Topics: Christianity, Evangelicalism, preaching, Richard Flory
AnnouncementNew Book Series: Bloomsbury Studies in Religion and Civic CultureThe USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture has signed a contract with Bloomsbury to produce the new series, Bloomsbury Studies in Religion and Civic Culture, with an ambitious 13 titles to …Topics: Books,
EventCompelling Preaching Across DividesThe 2024 Election may be over, but our country and churches remain strongly divided. CRCC’s Compelling Preaching Initiative came together in Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to process the election, gain insights into …Topics: Christianity, preaching
CommentaryBringing Religion Reporting—and Understanding—to NigeriaInspired by a fellowship with CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality (2019-2023), journalist Innocent Eteng has found ways to improve reporting on religion in Nigeria. Nigeria is a country with over 250 …Topics: Engaged Spirituality, Media and Technology
EventPassing the Mantle 2.0: The Murray LegacyAfter decades of ministry, the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray spent his “retirement” sharing his model of leadership and vision of Christian social ethics to a new generation of faith leaders. …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Engaged Spirituality, Religious Leadership
“It is reasonably easy to be an armchair critic of religion. There are ample examples of religious leaders who compromise the values of their tradition, and the fundamentalists of every religion are inevitably out of step with the latest findings of modern science.
“But the storyline about religion gets more complicated when one examines religious people in the trenches, serving the poor and disenfranchised of their societies.”
– Donald E. Miller
A Pragmatist’s View of Religion
Experts
CRCC can connect you with one of our many expert religious researchers and writers. Contact us, and we’ll help you find the right person for your subject.
Richard FloryExecutive DirectorRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Najuma SmithAssistant Director of Community and Public EngagementRev. Najuma Smith combines her experience as a pastor and expertise as a community leader to train Murray Center Fellows.
Soraya AhyaudinAMCLI Director and Assistant Director, Learning Design and ProgramsSoraya Ahyaudin directs the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture.