On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti What's lost when churches close
Dec 22, 2025
Ryan Burge, a professor studying religion's role in America, and Mandy Olson, a former pastor whose church closed, delve into the rising tide of church closures. Mandy shares poignant insights about the loss of community, as her church's food pantry and support systems vanished. Ryan discusses the financial pressures on small congregations and the broader social ramifications, highlighting how these closures dismantle crucial social safety nets and challenge communities, even affecting those who aren't religious.
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Neighborhood Hub That Vanished
- Mandy Olson describes Grace Evangelical Covenant Church as a neighborhood hub with worship, a food pantry, and a Spanish-language congregation.
- The church closed in 2022 and its programs and relationships were lost to the community.
Small Drops Threaten Small Churches
- Ryan Burge notes the average U.S. church hosts about 70 people, making small declines financially catastrophic.
- A 20% drop in religiosity could push many median churches into closure.
Decline In Social Ties Raises Costs
- Burge links societal declines in volunteering and social participation to falling church attendance.
- Fewer willing, able members raise costs and workloads, accelerating closures.