Born out of the diverse initiatives and networks that followed the L.A. riots, CRCC has been connected to all types of religious communities, before “interfaith” was cool. Coalition of faith leaders came together to address the social divides and ills that led to the conflagrations in 1992.
All religious traditions engage in the public square, and they also have their unique rituals, beliefs and approaches to prayer. Moreover, there’s often disagreements among adherents within each religion about the best way to practice their tradition and engage in political and social issues. Explore trends within a wide variety of groups—from Islam to evangelicalism to religious “nones”—on their respective topic pages, or check out trends that cross groups, such as creativity and innovation or prayer and meditation.
ArticleJimmy Swaggart’s rise and fall shaped the landscape of American televangelismThis article is originally published by republished from The Conversation. Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most popular and enduring of the 1980s televangelists, died on July 1, 2025, but his legacy lives. …Topics: Christianity, Media and Technology, Politics
CommentaryWe’re still fighting for migrants’ dignity in Los AngelesThis article was originally published on Religion News Service, by staff and participants in the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s Compelling Preaching program. By Susan Goldberg, Najuma Smith, Soraya Ahyaudin, Guillermo Torres and Tanny Jiraprapasuke LOS …Topics: Immigration, Interfaith/Multifaith Movements, Politics, preaching, Racial Justice, Religious Leadership, Southern California
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
Commentary‘No Kings’: The Rise Of Religious Authoritarianism In AmericaThis commentary was originally published in Religion Unplugged by a participant in the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s Compelling Preaching program. By Michael J. Christensen As fascism threatens to rise …Topics: Christianity, Politics, Religious Leadership
CommentaryWhy The Pope Matters In A World Of RivalriesThis article was originally published on Religion Unplugged. “Cheering for the Cubs is like praying to Allah,” my cousin, a White Sox fanatic and evangelical Christian, once quipped over Christmas dinner. According to …Topics: Catholicism, Christianity, Politics, 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
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
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
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
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
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
“Students in mindfulness classes may think they’re seeking therapeutic answers from secularized Eastern traditions, but their practices are authentically American too. Perhaps it’s this implicit knowledge that makes mindfulness so enchanting to spiritual seekers today.”
—Nalika Gajaweera,
“Mindfulness is as American as Apple Pie”
CRCC Experts
To schedule an interview with one of our experts, please contact CRCC:
crcc@usc.edu or 213-743-1611
Tobin BelzerTobin Belzer is an applied sociologist who develops research and program evaluations to support the work of non-profit organizations and philanthropists.
Brad ChristersonBrad Christenson is a sociologist who has written extensively in the areas of religion, race, ethnicity, and globalization.
Richard FloryExecutive DirectorRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Andrew JohnsonPast FellowAndrew Johnson is a sociologist who studies religion on the margins of society, with specific interests in religious practice inside of prison, Latin American Pentecostalism and religion in the city.
Juan MartínezPast FellowJuan Martinez studies the history of Latino Protestantism, Latino Protestant identity and transnational mission among U.S. Latinos.
Lori MeeksLori Meeks studies the social and cultural history of Buddhism in Japan, particularly related to the role of women.
Donald E. MillerCo-FounderDonald Miller focuses on global religious trends, genocides of the 20th century, and the role of religious NGOs in addressing issues of moral concern.
Jon MillerGuest ContributorJon Miller is a comparative sociologist and director of the international mission photography archive.
Bruce PhillipsBruce Phillips is among the leading researchers in the sociology of American Jewry and is an avid historian of Los Angeles.
Napah Phyakul QuachManaging DirectorNapah Phyakul Quach manages CRCC’s contracts and grants as well as oversees operations.
Rhonda RoumaniContributing FellowRhonda Roumani is a freelance journalist who writes about both the Middle East and Islam in the Muslim world and in the United States.
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.
Megan SweasEditor and Director of CommunicationsMegan Sweas is a journalist specializing in social and economic justice issues and world religions.
Tarra McNallyTarra McNally is an anthropologist specializing in evaluation and global health.
Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr.Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr. couples his experience in business and investment with his passion for community development.