People of faith give of their time, talents, and testimony to create positive change in their communities. To deepen understanding of this form of faithful giving (which we’re calling religious civic engagement), Lake Institute on Faith & Giving launched a study of the role of religious leaders and institutions in the life of one American city: Richmond, Virginia.

From 2022 to 2023, researchers interviewed 28 of Richmond’s leaders across faith traditions and the nonprofit, business, civic, and political sectors. They found that:

• Visibility of religious institutions and their leaders and members is low, especially when compared with the roles that religion played in Richmond’s past.
• Beyond the bright lights of the public square, however, religious organizations and people of faith are intensively engaged in the life of local communities, the city, and its region in a range of ways.

This report outlines these contemporary forms of engagement, to widen and deepen documentation of the substantial contributions of religion to the common good.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT (PDF)

Related resources:

• This Insights article[linked] provides an introduction to and overview of this research report, as well as reflection questions for religious communities.
• Rev. Anthony Riley and Rev. Brian Fox reflect on the Insights article in light of their own ministry contexts in their Expanded Perspectives[link].
• Coming soon: Reflection tool: The Seven Forms of Engagement & Your Congregation