America’s pews are becoming dramatically more welcoming to gays and lesbians and increasingly reflective of the nation’s racial and ethnic diversity, according to the latest results from a major study of U.S. congregations.
Nearly three in ten U.S. congregations permit gays and lesbians in committed relationships to hold volunteer leadership positions, a major increase from the 19 percent of congregations in 2006-2007, the National Congregations Study found.
A preview of the study, conducted by Duke University, was released with additional findings expected next year.
The 2012 National Congregations Study, which was first conducted in 1998 with a follow-up in 2006, surveyed 1,331 congregations.
“Compared to our study in 2006-2007, there’s been a ten percent increase among congregations that say gays and lesbians in committed relationships can be full-fledged members,” said Mark Chaves, a professor of sociology at Duke University. “Last time we asked these questions, it was 38 percent of congregations that let gays and lesbians be full members.”
Locally, Watermark Media recently announced its WAVE Award winners. In the category of LGBT-affirming communities winners in Orlando were Joy MCC, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and Christ Church Unity. In Tampa, they included King of Peace MCC and MCC of Tampa.
In addition to changes in attitudes toward gays and lesbians, the latest survey results also showed shifts taking place in the ethnic and racial makeup of congregations, worship style and use of technology, prevalence of female leadership and congregational size and distribution.
