Church: It’s Complicated

Just one in three of today’s pastors say that they are healthy. By 2050, less than half of the US population may identify as Christian. At the same time, 61 percent of millennials who attended church before the pandemic still worship with the same congregation. Not only that, but Barna recently found that young people—specifically Generation Z—are uniquely open to learning about Jesus.

It’s within this good news–bad news cultural context that Russell Moore and producer Ashley Hales answer listener questions about church membership, church hurt, and pastoral ministry. The listener questions covered in this episode include:

• How should someone evaluate their desire to attend seminary?
• What factors should someone consider when looking for a church to join?
• How can congregants practice discernment around church hurt and abuse, specifically if a church is being investigated?
• How have pastors embroiled in public scandals incriminated fellow pastors? And how can the non-culpable pastors (and their loved ones) respond?

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• “Modeling the Future of Religion in America,” Pew Research Center
• “38% of U.S. Pastors Have Thought About Quitting Full-Time Ministry in the Past Year,” Barna
• “A New Chapter in Millennial Church Attendance,” Barna
• “Rising Spiritual Openness in America,” Barna
• 
  

Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.

Ashley Hales is the producer of The Russell Moore Show, founder of Willowbrae Institute, and an author. Find out more at aahales.com.

Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.

“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper

Host: Russell Moore

Producer: Ashley Hales

Associate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae Phelps

CT Administration: Christine Kolb

Social Media: Kate Lucky

Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens

Production Assistance: coreMEDIA

Audio Engineer: Kevin Duthu

Coordinator: Beth Grabenkort

Video Producer: John Roland

Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton

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