Defining Moderate Congregations

Over the last 30 years, the number of Americans who say they highly value patriotism, religion, community, and family has dropped dramatically. At the same time, the number of Americans who care about making more money has gone up. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye discuss David Brooks' new article about the culture's shift toward autonomy and away from loving attachments, and how Christians can begin rebuilding their social muscles. Sociologist and former pastor, Ryan Burge, is back to discuss why the political polarization of Christianity is hurting both the church and democracy. Also this week, why small houses are better for your soul, and monkeys are missing in St. Louis—or are they?

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Bonus Interview with Ryan Burge:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/148694023/

0:00 - Show Starts

3:38 - Theme Song

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7:00 - The Monkeys are Loose in St. Louis!

15:24 - David Brooks on Love

38:00 - Are You Socially Muscular?

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52:34 - Interview

55:34 - Number of Christians Holding Steady

1:00:23 - Do Revivals Need to be Inside the Church?

1:09:38 - What is a Moderate Congregation?

1:17:50 - Evangelicalism Became Fundamentalism

1:24:00 - End Credits

Links Mentioned in News Segment:

Monkeys! On the Loose!

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/us/monkeys-loose-st-louis.html

We're Living Through the Great Detachment:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/opinion/americans-marriage-loneliness-love.html

Elizabeth Oldfield on Social Muscles:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/opinion/community-housing-friendship.html

Other Resources:

The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us (Why the Culture War Led to Polarization and What We Can Do About it) by Ryan Burge: https://amzn.to/4r1rbKL

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