If you are part of a mainline Protestant denomination, you know that decline has been part of the story for over 50 years. And yet, at times people act like this isn’t a problem. Why is that? Why can’t we admit there is a problem and then come up with solutions that can help struggling congregations?
In this episode, I chat with Episcopal priest Ben Crosby. We talk about the article he wrote on his Substack about church decline. Ben is currently a Ph.D. student at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in Canada where he is also the Honorary Associate Priest at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal.
On why church decline conversations are so frustrating- by Ben Crosby
Lunging, Flailing, Mispunching- by Terry Eagleton (Ben talked about this article in the interview)
Will the ELCA be Gone in 30 Years?- by Dwight Zscheile
On MAID and the Canadian Church- by Ben Crosby (an article about the Canadian mainline church and Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying law)
Ben’s Twitter
Church and Main is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Thank you for reading Church and Main. This post is public so feel free to share it.
Am I A Progressive? with Amar Peterman | Episode 127
Episode 126: How NOT to do Evangelism
LGBTQ Issues in the Evangelical Covenant Church with Chris Gehrz | Episode 125
Episode 124: What Is A ”Progressive Christian?”
Trailer: This is Church and Main.
Episode 123: Church Isn’t Safe.
Andrew Donaldson on Ordaining Women in the SBC | Episode 122
Being Church on a Bike with Travis Norvell | Episode 121
Episode 120: What’s Christian About Christian Nationalism?
Episode 119: Church in the Time of TikTok
Episode 118: Paul VanderKlay on LGBTQ Issues in the Christian Reformed Church
Episode 117: Camp Ministry with Jared Rendell
The Church Transforming with Alex Ruth
Episode 115: The Once and Future United Methodist Church with Drew McIntyre and Ben Gosden
Episode 114: The Digital Church with Jim Keat
Episode 113: The Rise of Deacons with Nina Joygaard
Episode 112: Sabbath-Keeping for Congregations with Kara Root
Episode 111: Part Time Clergy Is Plenty with Jeffrey MacDonald
Episode 110: The Church After COVID with Sean Chow
Episode 109: Social Entrepreneurship and Bi-vocational Ministry with Loren RichmondJr.
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Straight TV
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
Life After Ministry
The Bible Recap
BardsFM