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Why Are Churches Dying? | Michael Graham

Sep 26, 2023
Michael Graham, co-author of The Great Dechurching, offers data-driven answers and surprising hope about the decline of churches in America. The podcast explores the reasons behind the decline, including church hurt and shifting religious landscapes. It also discusses the complexity of where de-churched individuals are going, and the importance of belief, behavior, and belonging in the sociology of religion. The podcast provides actionable insights for pastors to navigate these challenges and retain members.
01:00:05

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The decline in church attendance is mainly driven by external factors such as moving and family changes rather than internal church issues or cultural shifts.
  • Key historical and cultural events like the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of the internet have reshaped American identity and affected church attendance.

Deep dives

The Reasons Behind the Great De-Churching

The decline in church attendance is driven by factors such as moving, inconvenience, and family changes, rather than due to internal church issues or cultural shifts. These seemingly mundane reasons account for the majority of people leaving the church.

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