Why Black men in South Bend, Indiana do not attend church : a practical theological study

Abstract

The researcher studied a pervasive problem; the conundrum is a shortage of men in the Black church. There is an imbalance in church attendance in South Bend, Indiana, women by far outnumber men in the pews (Barna Research Group, 2007, p. 5; Day, 2008, p. 267; Frost and Edgell, 2017, pp. 280-281; Kregting, et al, 2019, p. 1; Li, 2020, p. 289; Mattis, et al, 2004, p. 386; Taylor, Thornton and Chatters, 1987, p. 134). There is a wider gender gap in the African American church compared to other churches, for example, in the Black church the male presence is 25% compared to 75% female (Hodges, Rowland, and Isaac-Savage, 2016, p. 47; Kunjufu, 1997, p. 29; Lincoln and Mamiya, 1990, p. 275). The gender gap for churches in the general population is 44% female and 36% male, (Barna Research Group, 2011, pp. 5-7). This study pursued to answer the question: what are some of the reasons why Black men do not attend church? Semi-structured interviews were employed, the research respondents re-counted their rearing and childhood experiences, the impact and influence their parents had on their lives, their thoughts and feelings about the church and it’s leaders including the pastor. The data collected was examined and analyzed. The results of the survey exposed divers reasons for Black men steering away from church. Reasons offered by the participants were, the church is not relevant to the Black community (90%), pastors are more interested in money than people (70%), and their fathers did not attend church (60%).