Ruth Graham on the story of how Trumpism is driving evangelical pastors out of their own hobbits. 42% of Protestant pastors said that they had seriously considered quitting full-time ministry within the last year. That's a real shakeup that's happening right now. Kevin Thompson thought that he would lead his hometown congregation for the rest of his life.
Evangelicals make up about a quarter of the population in the United States and are part of the nation’s largest religious group. But lately the movement is in crisis.
The biggest issue is church attendance. Many churches closed at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and struggled to reopen while congregations thinned.
But a smaller audience isn’t the only problem: Pastors are quitting, or at least considering doing so.
Guest: Ruth Graham is a national correspondent covering religion, faith and values for The New York Times.
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