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.
Topics
ResourcesHow to Start a Wealth-Building Ministry at Your ChurchIn disadvantaged communities, economic instability makes it difficult for many to access important financial knowledge. Without this information, people cannot lift themselves up and grow their wealth. And if the people are …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Economic Inequality, Social Services
CRCC in the NewsRNS: Richard Flory on Christian NationalistsAn emerging group of leaders are combining conservative Christianity and nationalism. Religion News Service wrote about Michael O’Fallon, the CEO of Sovereign Nations and owner of Sovereign Cruises and Events LLC, which …Topics: Christians and Christianity
ArticleA nascent #ChurchToo movement could improve gender equality in the black churchThis article was originally published by the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. By Susan Bell The first advice the Reverend Najuma Smith-Pollard gives male pastors is not to use …Topics: Black Church, Christians and Christianity, CMCCE, Gender, Religious Leadership
CRCC in the NewsKQED/KPCC: Richard Flory on Bethel School for Supernatural MinistryPeople come from around the world to Redding, California to learn miraculous healing. The California Dream Series (a media collaboration of KQED, CALmatters, KPCC and others) featured CRCC’s senior director of research …Topics: Christians and Christianity,
CRCC in the NewsKCRW: Brie Loskota on the United Methodists, Young People and ReligionWith the United Methodist Church facing a possible schism over gay clergy and marriage, KCRW asked CRCC Executive Director Brie Loskota to explain the divisions around LGBT rights in religious communities, and …Topics: Christians and Christianity, LGBT Issues- VideoRev. Cecil L. Murray: A Call to Ministry
- VideoThe Murray Method of Church Leadership
CRCC in the NewsDeseret News: Richard Flory on the Instagrammable Bible and Kanye’s ChristianityYoung Christian entrepreneurs are bringing an Instagram aesthetic to the Bible. Alabaster Co. produces books of the Bible with large, artistic images. The Deseret News asked Richard Flory, CRCC’s Senior Director of …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Evangelicals and Evangelicalism
CRCC in the NewsThe Guardian: Flory on the Rise of Pentecostalism in AmericaToday’s Pentecostalism in America is not what it used to be. As Australian Pentecostal groups – such as Hillsong, C3, and A21 – are rapidly growing across America, they are also transforming …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Megachurches, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
CRCC in the NewsDeseret News: Flory on Declining Church AttendanceToday, nearly 1/4 of Americans do not affiliate with a faith group, and church leaders across the country are growing concerned on how to combat declining church attendance rates. Deseret News interviewed CRCC’s Senior Director …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Religious "Nones", Religious Affiliation
CRCC in the NewsThe Monthly: Flory on the Popularity of Hillsong’s Christine CaineMegachurch Hillsong has recently been attracting a growing number of worshippers, and Christine Caine has emerged as a rising star among America’s evangelical circuit, selling out theaters and megachurches across the country. …Topics: Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Megachurches, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
ToolsNational Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Religious Literacy Primer 2019The USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement created this religious literacy primer for the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), in an effort to help members of the organization engage …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Economic Inequality, Tools, weforum
“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
Sumaya AbubakerProject ManagerSumaya Abubaker manages leadership and civic engagement programming for minority faith communities.
Tobin BelzerContributing FellowTobin Belzer is an applied sociologist who develops research and program evaluations to support the work of non-profit organizations and philanthropists.
Brad ChristersonContributing FellowBrad Christenson is a sociologist who has written extensively in the areas of religion, race, ethnicity, and globalization.
Donald Cook IIContributing FellowRev. Donald Cook II combines his expertise in church management with ministry and social justice initiatives to help faith organizations improve their communities.
Hebah FarragAssistant Director of ResearchHebah Farrag manages the center’s research and evaluation projects while engaging in research focused on religion, social change and new spiritualties.
Richard FlorySenior Director of Research and EvaluationRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Nalika GajaweeraResearch AssociateNalika Gajaweera is a cultural anthropologist specialized in Buddhism, transnationalism and ethics, with an area expertise in South Asia.
Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr.Contributing FellowRev. Frank Jackson, Jr. couples his experience in business and investment with his passion for community development.
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.
Brie LoskotaExecutive DirectorBrie Loskota researches how religions change and make change in the world, and works to build the capacity of religious communities around the globe.
Juan MartínezPast FellowJuan Martinez studies the history of Latino Protestantism, Latino Protestant identity and transnational mission among U.S. Latinos.
Tarra McNallyAssistant Director of EvaluationTarra McNally is an anthropologist specializing in evaluation and global health.
Lori MeeksLori Meeks studies the social and cultural history of Buddhism in Japan, particularly related to the role of women.
Donald E. MillerDirector of Strategic InitiativesDonald Miller focuses on global religious trends, genocides of the 20th century, and the role of religious NGOs in addressing issues of moral concern.
Jon MillerSenior Research AssociateJon Miller is a comparative sociologist and director of the international mission photography archive.