LifeWay Research of Nashville, TN surveyed 1,000 Americans and 1,000 Protestant pastors to find their views on race issues and the results show America has some work to do in improving race relations.
"On the surface, most Americans agree that racial reconciliation matters. But we're divided about how important this issue is. For many white Americans, progress on issues of race is a good thing but not urgent. For many African-Americans, it's front and center," said Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of LifeWay Research.
The good news for the nation's Christians is that faith plays an integral part in race relations. 65 percent Americans surveyed stated that religious leaders play a pivotal role in race relations while less than half disagree.
The teachings of the Gospels, according to most of the pastors surveyed, lessen the division caused by race. When asked if they find that "Racial reconciliation is mandated by the Gospel", 90 percent of the senior pastors said yes.
Pastors who lead congregations with over 250 attendees were more likely to agree to the Gospels' influence on racial relations compared to pastors from churches with less than 50 members.
When it comes to the responses to the survey's statement "We've got so far to go on racial relations", most Americans strongly agree.
According to Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research, pastors have a huge responsibility in influencing their flock and fighting racial divisions.
"If pastors want to lead a movement of racial reconciliation, they need to make sure their members are following. If church members are not inviting and welcoming people of other ethnic groups, their reconciliation efforts are not taking root."