Dr. Rebecca Glazier, a professor of public affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, released a new book culminating a dozen years of research on the intersection of religion, politics and community engagement in Little Rock. The book, “Faith and Community: How Engagement Strengthens Members, Places of Worship and Society” was published by Temple University Press in July. The book shows the benefits of religious people taking action in their communities.
Through more than a decade of data collection through the Little Rock Congregations Study, Glazier, who serves as director of the research project, has surveyed more than 4,000 congregants and nearly 500 clergy in Little Rock to gather opinions from members and leaders on community issues and engagement. Through interviews and case studies, her findings indicate that active congregants are happier and more civically involved.
Glazier started the Little Rock Congregations Study in 2012 with a single class of students at UA Little Rock working with just five congregations in Little Rock. In 2016, they partnered with the University of Arkansas-Clinton School of Public Service, received a grant from the American Political Science Association and expanded to work with 17 congregations.
During 2020, the Little Rock Congregations Study worked with 35 congregations, producing personalized reports for each congregation.
Glazier will speak about her book during a Central Arkansas Library System Legacies and Lunch meeting Oct. 2 at noon at UA Little Rock Downtown. People who are interested in using the Little Rock Congregations Study research surveys to learn more about their own congregations can receive the surveys for free. Contact Glazier at raglazier@ualr.edu for more information.
