Season Finale with Bob Smietana

In this powerful season finale, Matt sits down with the legendary religion news reporter and author Bob Smietana to explore the pressing realities facing churches today. From demographic shifts to the challenges of revitalization, Bob shares insights from his acclaimed book, Reorganized Religion, and personal experiences with church closures. This episode is packed with heartfelt stories, actionable insights, and a message of hope for communities navigating change.

Key Topics Covered:

• The decline of church attendance: What's driving the numbers?
• Demographic and cultural changes impacting church vitality.
• Stories of resilience: Churches finding new purposes through partnerships and creativity.
• When it's time to close: The emotional and practical realities.
• Bob’s personal reflections on his own church's closure.

Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss:

• [5:15] Why the American church boom of the mid-20th century is over.
• [15:50] The “Walmart effect” of church consolidation and its impact on smaller congregations.
• [28:30] What makes a “good ending” for a church, and how planning ahead can make all the difference.
• [35:40] Heartwarming stories of community and music from Bob’s former church.
• [46:10] How one pastor helped his congregation embrace closure with dignity.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. churches are closing mainly due to changes in demographics and society.  What worked to grow churches in prior decades no longer works, and it is often difficult for churches with older buildings to adapt to a new environment.

2. It's better when a church's building, property, and assets stay connected to the mission when transferring ownership.

3. Bob reports on and has written about many churches that have closed.  When he and his wife experienced a closing with the congregation they cared about, they experienced a sense of loss and grief.  But they also felt sent forth by a community that helped shape their lives.  Maybe a church can still be about sending long after it has stopped being able to bring people into a building.

Resources Mentioned:

• Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters by Bob Smietana
• The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? by Jim Davis
• The Good Friday Collabrative's 5 Stages of Church Closure

Share this episode with friends and fellow churchgoers to spark meaningful conversations about the future of faith communities.