CSLR Publications

CSLR's publications fall into these topical categories: "Theological Education and the Future of Religious Leadership in the Latino Community"; "The Chicago Latino Congregations Study (CLCS)"; "The Social Impact of Latino-Serving Congregations and Faith-Based Organizations"; "The Role of Religious Identity and Practice on Latino Civic Engagement and Political Views"; and "Religion and Educational Outcomes Among Latinos/as." Scroll down to view each category.

Theological Education and the Future of Religious Leadership in the Latino Community

What Can Seminaries Do to Prepare Their Students for Ministry in the Latino Community? (340KB)
Edwin I Hernández, Milagros Peña, Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner, Jeffrey Smith, Kari Jo Verhulst
October, 2008
As custodians of the next generation of pastors and lay religious leaders, seminaries and graduate schools of theology must constantly adapt their programming to keep up with the changing needs of the churches and communities their students will go on to serve. The ongoing growth of the Hispanic population in both Catholic and Protestant congregations has spurred such institutions to evaluate their curricula and general academic cultures to identify how to best prepare ministers for service to and with Latinos/as. This final report in this series investigating the experiences of Latino/a seminarians explores which institutional practices and programs help ensure that these future ministers are prepared to be effective leaders in the church.

Latino/a Seminarians’ Evaluations of Their Institutions’ Quality and Commitment (1.1MB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Milagros Peña, Caroline Viernes Sotello Turner, Jeffrey Smith, Kari Jo Verhulst
July, 2008
This fifth report in a series of Latino Research@ND reports on Latinos/as and theological education investigates how Latino/a seminarians assess their schools on a variety of social, cultural, and academic factors and what this reveals about how effectively seminaries and graduate schools of theology are meeting the needs of their Latino/a students. We find that Latino/a seminarians offer positive assessments of the general climate toward diversity at their schools but are more negative about how adeptly their schools have integrated and incorporated Latino perspectives into the curriculum and academic environment. The presence of attentive, available faculty members who are sensitive and receptive to Latino theology, culture, and perspectives makes a substantial difference in Latinos/as’ experience of seminary, as does the inclusion of minority perspectives into the curriculum.

Finding the Right Seminary: Influences on Institutional Choice, Expectations, and Satisfaction among Latino/a Seminarians (304KB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Milagros Peña, Caroline Viernes Sotello Turner, Jeffrey Smith, Kari Jo Verhulst
May, 2008
This fourth report in a series of Latino Research@ND reports on Latinos/as and theological education identifies the key factors that influence Latino/a seminarians’ choice of educational institution and examines whether these students’ institutional expectations are being met. We find that Latino/a seminarians share many of the same concerns as their white and especially African American counterparts for a theologically compatible, quality education without undue financial burden. Though they are generally satisfied with the institutions they choose to attend, there is a pronounced gap between the importance ascribed to finances in choosing one’s seminary and the adequacy of the financial aid one’s institution offers.

Latino/a Seminarians’ Vocational Motivations and Views about the Church’s Role in Society (704KB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Milagros Peña, Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner, Jeffery Smith, Kari Jo Verhulst
September, 2007
This report examines the vocational motivations and aspirations of Latino/a seminarians and analyzes their views about the role that churches should play in society. We find that Latinos/as pursue theological education out of a desire to serve others and express strong support for religious congregations taking an active role around issues such as poverty, racism, and the environment and they favor collaborating with government agencies, public officials, and people of other faiths to do so. This is the third in a series of Latino Research@ND reports focusing on Latinos/as and theological education.

An Educational and Ministerial Profile of Latino/a Seminarians (1.2MB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Milagros Peña, Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner, Jeffrey Smith, Kari Jo Verhulst
June, 2007
This is the second of a series of Latino Research@ND reports focusing on Latinos/as and theological education. It analyzes what a quantitative survey of Latino/a theological students reveals about the educational and ministerial backgrounds of Latino/a seminarians. We find that Latinos/as arrive at seminary with considerable community and religious leadership experience. They also come from comparatively less formally educated families than their white non-Hispanic peers—a reality that might complicate their social and academic acclimation to graduate school. We conclude that seminaries need both to recognize the challenges that their Latino/a students face and to welcome the experiences and perspectives that they bring to the seminary community.

A Demographic Profile of Latino/a Seminarians (792KB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Milagros Peña, Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner, Jeffrey Smith, Kari Jo Verhulst
March, 2007
This is the first of a series of Latino Research@ND reports focusing on Latinos/as and theological education. While the rapid growth of the Latino population in the United States has led to a concomitant rise in the Latino presence in both Catholic and Protestant congregations, Latinos/as remain underrepresented among the religious leadership of most Christian denominations. Cultivating a well-trained cadre of Latino/a religious leaders is critical for the vitality of the US Latino community. The experiences of Latino/a seminarians highlighted in this report provide an important window into the future of Latino religious leadership.

Equipped To Serve: Latino/a Seminarians and the Future of Religious Leadership in the Latino/a Community (2.3MB)
Milagros Peña, Edwin I. Hernández, Caroline Sotelo-Turner, Danielle Dirks, Kari Jo Verhulst
October, 2006
This report presents a portrait of the next generation of Latino/a religious leaders and examines how effectively their theological education is preparing them to lead and serve Latino/a communities throughout the United States. Through analysis of quantitative survey data and in- depth focus group interviews, we identify the priorities and values that Latino/a seminarians will bring to their work as congregational and community leaders. We also analyze what institutional and curricular characteristics are most critical for preparing these future leaders to respond to the spiritual and material needs of Latinos/as in the United States.

The Chicago Latino Congregations Study (CLCS)

Answering the Call: How Latino Churches Can Respond to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (1.44MB)  Companion Paper (4.4MB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Rebecca Burwell, and Jeffrey Smith
June, 2007
The past two decades have seen a dramatic rise in HIV/AIDS infection rates in communities of color across the United States. Churches have been shown to play a deterrent role on behaviors that put one at risk for HIV infection. Other studies have found that churches play an important role in social service provision in urban neighborhoods, and that they are often the only institutions that undocumented immigrants can access for help. Using an intensive study of Latino congregations in Chicago, the report examines what Latino churches are currently doing to respond to the epidemic, and what congregational and leadership characteristics appear to contribute to such efforts.

The Social Impact of Latino-Serving Congregations and Faith-Based Organizations

Mapping Compassion on the Frontlines: a National Directory of Latino-Serving Faith-Based Organizations (1.2MB)
Prepared by the Center for the Study of Latino Religion, Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame
March, 2008
This directory lists Latino-serving faith-based organizations in 45 cities throughout the Easter, Southeastern, Midwest, and Western regions of the United States. Most entries include details about the religious and ethnic identity of each organization, the social services it provides, and whether it has certain organizational structures in place (e.g., annual budget, a board of directors, 501(c)(3) status).

Compassion on the Frontlines: an Assessment of Latino-Serving Faith-Based Organizations (1.1MB)
Guillermo Grenier, Rebecca Burwell, Edwin I Hernández, Michael Mata, Milagros Peña, Marciana Popescu, Aida Ramos, Jeffrey Smith
March, 2008
Though increased attention to the role of religion in American public life has helped to highlight important connections between religious commitment and the development of social capital within communities, little research has focused specifically on the social impact of Latino-serving faith-based organizations (FBOs). This report presents the findings of a survey of faith-based organizations that serve Latinos/as in four metro areas that together account for nearly a quarter of the Latino population in the United States. It finds that these organizations offer a large range of services primarily concentrated on educational and job training needs, advocacy, children and youth, immigration, family services, and health concerns, and offer nearly half of such programs in collaboration with other organizations. The report also documents the concrete impact that capacity-training projects have on the organizational development and infrastructure of such community-serving organizations.

Latino Congregations and Social Service: The Philadelphia Story (776KB)
Ram A. Cnaan, Edwin I. Hernández, Charlene C. McGrew
October, 2006
Recent attention to the role of religion in American public life has highlighted the important role that religious institutions play in generating social capital and volunteering and in helping people develop skills that are critical for effective citizenship. This report presents the findings of an investigation of the organizational behavior and social involvement of Latino congregations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and identifies the demographic and social characteristics that shape their social and civic engagement.

Leadership Matters: The Role of Latino/a Religious Leadership in Social Ministry (2.0MB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Rebecca Burwell, Marciana Popescu, Milagros Peña, Juan Carlos Rivera
March, 2006
This report’s applied research information about Latino/a congregations and their leaders offers an informed portrait of the needs, aspirations, and challenges facing Latino/a ministers and leaders of faith-based organizations. We look at the role of religious leaders—both clergy and laypersons—who act as catalysts by mobilizing congregations and building grassroots organizations. Also included are specific action steps for pastors and lay leaders who are interested in advancing social ministry in their communities.

Hispanic Clergy and the Task of Ministry in Urban America (1.2MB)
Edwin Hernández, Milagros Peña and Melissa Mauldin
May, 2005
This report seeks to examine the complex role that Latino/a ministers play and the myriad ways they mobilize resources on behalf of their communities. By exploring the experiences, insights, and struggles of Latino/a ministers, we hope to help deepen the understanding of how US Hispanics are faring and to illuminate some of the resources and support that are needed to help strengthen these leaders’ efforts to meet the spiritual and social needs of their communities.

Strengthening Hispanic Ministry Across Denominations: A Call To Action (628KB)
Edwin I. Hernández, Milagros Peña, Rev. Kenneth Davis, CSC, and Elizabeth Station
Currently numbering 38 million individuals, U.S. Latinos are the nation’s largest and fastest-growing minority group. Both as established residents and new immigrants, Latinos are making major contributions to the country’s economy and society. Hispanic membership is increasing in Christian congregations throughout the United States, posing major opportunities and challenges for the churches that serve them. Overall, the Hispanic community remains disproportionately affected by poverty, low education levels, poor health, and discrimination. Churches that seek to minister to community members in need often do so with limited financial resources and inadequate leadership.

The Role of Religious Identity and Practice on Latino Civic Engagement and Political Views

Faith and Values in Action: Religion, Politics, and Social Attitudes Among US Latinos/as (1.4MB)
Edwin I Hernández, Kenneth G. Davis, Milagros Peña, Georgian Schiopu, Jeffrey Smith, Matthew T. Loveland
November, 2007
Religion plays a considerable role in shaping many Americans’ civic engagement and political behavior, including how they vote and what political party they prefer. Few studies have explored in great depth the extent to which this is so among Latinos/as. Analyzing the Pew Hispanic Center's 2004 National Survey of Latinos, this report attempts to shed light on how religious affiliation and regular church attendance influence Latinos/as’ volunteering rates, political party identification, and positions on social and moral issues.

Hispanic Churches in American Public Life: Summary of Findings (692KB)  Versión en Español (692KB)
Gastón Espinosa, Virgilio Elizondo, Jesse Miranda
January, 2003
This publication presents a summary of the findings of the Hispanic Churches in American Public Life (HCAPL) research project. The HCAPL project was a three-year study, funded by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts, that sought to examine the impact of religion on political and civic engagement in the Latino community.

Religion and Educational Outcomes Among Latinos/as

Religion Matters: Predicting Schooling Success in Latino Youth (380KB)
David Sikkink and Edwin Hernández
March, 2004
Does religion improve educational outcomes for Latino youth? Research on the educational trajectories of Latino immigrants in the United States is growing, but we know little about what role, if any, religion plays in the academic success or failure of Latino youth. Dropout rates among some segments of Latino students are alarming. This paper examines the role of religion especially in impoverished inner-city schools.

Religious Involvement and Educational Outcomes: The Role of Social Capital and Extracurricular Participation
Jennifer L. Glanville, David Sikkink, and Edwin I. Hernández.
2008
The Sociological Quarterly 49: 105-137
Previous research has observed that religious participation is positively related to a wide variety of adolescent outcomes, including academic achievement, but relatively little is known about why this is the case. We examine whether religious participation enhances academic outcomes among teens by the way in which it shapes their social ties, or social capital, focusing on both intergenerational relationships and on relationships with peers.We find that religious attendance promotes higher intergenerational closure, friendship networks with higher educational resources and norms, and extracurricular participation.

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