Articles

By Karen Brison (Australian National University, 2023)

How has living in a time of tremendous social change influenced Gen Z’s attitudes towards religion–organized or otherwise? CRCC's executive director Richard Flory was on KPCC LAist 89.3's Airtalk with Larry Mantle to talk about young adults' connection towards religion in today's world.

The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (CRCC) recently held its first in-person event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019. More than 70 clergy and faith-inspired community leaders met in an airy space at the Hotel Maya in Long Beach for a half-day conference to discuss the challenges and lessons of the pandemic–and simply to gather, mindful of public health precautions, to share stories and fellowship after a long period of isolation.

Like many congregations in the wake of pandemic-era restriction, the first Black church founded in the San Fernando Valley has seen significant declines in membership, the Los Angeles Daily News reported. Membership at Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church in Pacoima has fallen from 200 to 45. The paper turned to CRCC's Richard Flory to understand the decline.

Young Jews, age 13-25, are among those who are least likely to be thriving spiritually and religiously, according to a survey conducted by Springtide Research Institute. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency turned to CRCC's Richard Flory for perspective on the study.

Deseret News quoted CRCC'S Richard Flory on how faith institutions can build greater understanding with Gen Z.

By Melinda Lundquist Denton & Richard Flory
(Oxford University Press, 2020)