Scott Thumma

Exploring pastoral health, leading change, and building connections, guests like Kinsie Tate and Ted Smith discuss clergy challenges, the tension between individualization and community, and the impact of online ministry. The conversation touches on resisting consumerism, emphasizing discernment, and highlighting the importance of local church engagement for flourishing communities.

Dr. Scott Thumma, a researcher with 30 years of experience in studying congregational life and denominational shifts, discusses the rise of megachurches and the challenges smaller congregations face. The growth of non-denominational churches and the decreasing importance of denominational identity are examined. Dr. Thumma emphasizes the need for congregations to adapt to societal changes and technology, particularly highlighted by the pandemic's impact on religious practices. The episode concludes with insights into the work of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research on contemporary religious trends.