The Black Church Has an Issue
Black churches, including Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, are struggling to attract younger members, a trend that could have lasting implications for social cohesion and Black political power. The decline of these congregations has been gradual but significant, with Mother Bethel’s membership dropping from 4,000 during the Great Migration to around 700 today. The lack of younger attendees is part of a broader trend where Black church membership has fallen by nearly 20 percentage points in the last two decades.
Many younger Black Americans do not consider the church central to their lives, a shift driven by technology, the pandemic, and evolving social issues. While older generations emphasize the church’s historic role in fostering community and political activism, younger people often express indifference or disconnect. This disconnect is evident in Pew Research surveys, which show that fewer Black Millennials and Gen Z members attend majority-Black churches compared to older generations.
The Black church has long been a political force, from incubating the civil rights movement to mobilizing voters in modern elections. Church attendance, particularly in Black churches, is closely tied to Democratic Party identification. The loss of younger churchgoers might explain some of the detachment seen among younger Black voters from the Democratic Party. In key swing states like Pennsylvania, this gap in political engagement could influence election outcomes.
Older Black churchgoers worry that the decline in membership undermines the legacy of civil and voting rights they fought to secure. They also face challenges in bridging the cultural divide with younger Black people, many of whom question the relevance of the church. Carolyn Wilson, 70, points out that younger people often ask, “What’s in it for me?” when discussing church involvement, a stark contrast to the generational sense of duty she inherited.
The divide between generations is compounded by broader cultural shifts, such as the rise of social media and virtual engagement. Many Black Protestants now prefer attending online services, a change accelerated by the pandemic. This shift has made church participation less about in-person community gatherings and more about digital interaction. However, some church leaders like Dr. Mark Tyler of Mother Bethel have embraced hybrid services, using tools like social media to maintain a sense of connection.
Despite these adaptations, the absence of younger members in physical services is felt deeply. Black churches are built around call-and-response traditions that rely on active participation, something that virtual services struggle to replicate. The absence of younger people during the pandemic has led some church leaders to question how to adapt without losing the sense of communal worship that has historically been central to the Black church experience.
Social media platforms, such as TikTok, have become spaces for young people like Donnell McLachlan, a social media influencer, to explore and discuss their faith. McLachlan, who left a traditional church due to tensions with teachings on sin and LGBTQ issues, now engages with a vast online audience. The internet has become a substitute for the community once found in church, offering young people an alternative way to connect with faith and like-minded individuals.
However, McLachlan also acknowledges the loss of intergenerational dialogue, a key component of Black church life. He believes that younger and older generations can benefit from each other’s perspectives, with young people offering fresh insights while older people impart wisdom. But there is often tension in these relationships, as older Black churchgoers sometimes demand respect from younger people without offering it in return.
The challenge of engaging younger Black voters is also evident in the political sphere. In Pennsylvania, Democrats are seeking to reach young Black voters through a variety of channels, including social media and community events. While older Black churchgoers still play a significant role in mobilizing voters, younger people are less likely to engage through traditional church-based outreach.
For church leaders like Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness, the decline in church membership is part of a larger societal trend, with fewer young people attending services or engaging in faith-based community activities. Despite these challenges, Cavaness remains committed to the power of the Black church, believing that faith communities can still make a significant impact on issues like voting rights and social justice.
As Black churches confront the reality of declining membership, the question remains whether they can adapt to meet the needs of younger generations while maintaining their historic role as spiritual, social, and political hubs. Dr. Tyler of Mother Bethel reflects on the importance of faith and civic engagement in maintaining Black political power, stressing that while times are changing, the church’s work is far from over. By helping people realize their power and acting in faith, he believes positive change is still possible.
