A quarter in both samples are not sure . Four in ten pastors would prefer a congregation with a mixed half and half racial ethnic composition for their next call. Another three in ten want one that is mostly white . More panelists, especially ministers, have positive than negative views of the contributions immigrants make to U.S. society. Most others think conditions have stayed about the same .
Laity are more evenly divided.
Almost all panelists interact once in a while with persons of other racial ethnic groups in their local community, and many do so often. New samples are drawn every three years. These pages summarize major findings from the fifth survey completed by the 2000-2002 Panel, initially sampled in the fall of 1999. This survey was initially mailed in November 2000, and returns were accepted through January 2001. Results are subject to sampling and other errors.