Ryan Burge

Ryan Burge, ordained minister and sociologist who studies American religion, explores America’s “dechurching” and whether it’s reversing. He breaks down who the religiously unaffiliated are and why Gen Z trends matter. He links social isolation and smartphones to civic decline. He also examines polarization inside congregations, shifts in racial and political alignments, and practical steps to rebuild communal life.

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.