UA Little Rock professor publishes results from a more than decade-long study focusing on local congregations

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor released the results of a study more than a decade in the making focusing on the community of congregations in Little Rock.

Rebecca Glazier, a professor of public affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, recently published Faith and Community: How Engagement Strengthens Members, Places of Worship, and Society.

The book results from over a decade of research on the relationship between religion, politics, and community engagement in Little Rock.

“I’m just incredibly grateful to the congregations who have been so generous in partnering with us and opening up sacred places to tell us their stories,” Glazier said.

Through the study, she surveyed over 4,000 congregants and nearly 500 clergy, finding that active congregants are happier and more civically involved.

“This research started way back in 2012, and I actually began studying people who are motivated by religion to make peace in conflict zones around the world,” Glazier said. “But I started to realize that there are people right here in my own city who were making peace, it just didn’t look quite the same.”

Glazier changed her views and decided to study the churches within Little Rock.

The research also involved collaboration with students at UA Little Rock and the Clinton School, ultimately leading to personalized reports for 35 congregations.

“I’ve been able to work with more than 200 students on this research, and engaging students in this project has been one of the most rewarding parts,” Glazier said.

The book provides detailed case studies of various Little Rock congregations to illustrate different community engagement models.

“Some of the students have been co-authors on papers that we published, some students have gone onto graduate school and presented research of their own, it’s been wonderful to see them grow and see them be able to share the part of research they helped in,” Glazier said.

Glazier sent students out into the field to experience traditions and cultures they never would have known about without conducting the research themselves.

“We realize that together regardless to race, color, creed, ethnicity, political affiliation, all those factors do not matter because when we come together, we are better together,” Senior Pastor of Bullock Temple CME Odessa Darrough said.

According to Glazier, the congregations want to help the community or to be able to put their hands to work, as many religions call for through service.

“They want some meaningful service and if we can give that to them, they’ll get engaged and they’ll be attending services more,” Glazier said.

Glazier said one thing about her research that surprised her was that the younger generations were more eager to get involved and stay involved in a church if it was partnered with a program or helped the community.

“We realize that the community and the faith-based organization or church benefits because we need each other,” Darrough said.

Darrough also believes that churches need to stop and listen to determine the needs of their neighborhoods.

“I tell them a simple smile is the beginning of the missionary work,” Darrough said.

Second Baptist Downtown also participated in the study. Their lead pastor, Preston Clegg, says that this study has become part of his ministry throughout the years.

“I was thinking about what the church landscape of Little Rock looked like, I was also learning the people in my own church, which is exactly the research that this project was engaging,” Clegg said.

Clegg believes that this data-driven research helps him affirm what he has always believed: that helping the community helps the church.

“Communities impact their churches, and churches impact their communities, and so the more you’re aware of that dynamic, the better you are as a church, as a minister, and as a community,” Clegg said.

Glazier will discuss her book at an upcoming UA Little Rock Downtown event.

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