by Jack Ryan Schlotter
UPDATE: see Jack talk about his research with the Little Rock Congregations Study, including this case study on Grace United Church, in this short YouTube video:
In 2022, two culturally-unique faith communities based in Central Little Rock, Arkansas merged. Grace Church, a majority White congregation, and Grace Temple Church, a majority Black congregation, formed the new Grace United Church. This unification of congregations, especially at a time of increased racial tensions across the country, was an impressive demonstration of racial unity and attempt at understanding and embracing distinct styles and traditions of worship.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once noted that “eleven o’clock on Sunday morning is one of the most segregated hours, if not the most segregated hours in Christian America.” King’s observation remains alarming, as churches remain one of the last vestiges of segregation in the United States. Though churches have undeniably diversified, the movement has been small: according to sociologist Dr. Michael Emerson, only 16% of American churches have more than 20% of their membership composed of members of different races. However, this number is an increase from just 6% in 1998. This movement towards diversity and integration of congregations in the United States has been joined by Grace United Church.
Congregation leaders at Grace United Church
Per Grace United Church’s website, the process began with a prayer: “this prayer was simply that God would bring an African American church and a Caucasian church together in West Little Rock to display this unity [so that the world would believe in Jesus].” The two congregations had long collaborated in inter congregational events and even swapped pulpits at their shared location on Cantrell road in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Eventually, the two congregations merged into a unified church with a mission of identity, unity, and ministry outlined on their website: https://graceunitedlr.com/mission-and-vision. The church is led by three pastors: Bishop Steven Arnold, Pastor Joshua Hurlburt, and Pastor Neal Scoggins.
A sermon at Grace United Church
Attending Grace United’s Sunday service on February 26th, 2023, one would notice that the church had adjusted well to the merger, with almost every seat in the church filled. Members of different races could be observed greeting, hugging, and sitting together prior to the service, which fell on the last Sunday of Black History Month. The importance of that day was not neglected, with children in the congregation, both Black and White, highlighting notable figures in Black history, such as Dr. Joe Hargrove, the first Black cardiologist in the state of Arkansas and a member of Grace United.
Volunteers working together to serve food at Grace United Church.
Members of Grace United, and even the Pastors, are still adjusting to what they refer to as a “marriage” of the two previous congregations. At one point in the service, Pastor Josh Hurlburt remarked at the differences in music that the two congregations displayed at their services: “you will have to forgive us Grace Church legacy folks, we don’t know these songs. But we love them.”
Ultimately, Grace United appears to be adjusting well to the unification of both churches. From attending the February 26th service, it is apparent that Grace United is a healthy, lively church well-equipped to continue as a unified church for the foreseeable future.
Sources:
Racial Segregation in the Church
The Transatlantic Slave Trade and slavery often were justified by religious leaders who argued that slave owners were performing a noble Christian duty by converting and enslaving Africans, who were inferior to whites in the eyes of the church. After the Civil War, white churches supported racial hierarchy and segregation, forcing Black people to form their own churches.
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