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,
ToolsPreaching Beyond the Walls of the Congregation: How Faith Leaders Can Use MediaCongregations are often on the frontlines of significant social issues, from poverty to immigration to polarization. Clergy’s moral leadership on these issues is grounded in both their spiritual traditions and the lived …Topics: Christianity, Media and Technology, preaching, Religious Leadership
AnnouncementFlourishing in Ministry Program Offers Coaching to SoCal PastorsPastoring a church can be fulfilling work — and it also can be demanding. Faith leaders often feel a divine call to accompany individuals on their spiritual and personal journeys. At the …Topics: Christianity, Religious Leadership, Southern California, Thriving Congregations
CommentaryChurches Come Together for Good Friday in Ocean BeachThe USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture provided seed funding for an ecumenical group of faith leaders serving San Diego’s Ocean Beach neighborhood through its Compelling Preaching Initiative. It seemed odd …Topics: Christianity, preaching, Religious Leadership, Southern California- 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,
“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.