Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters

by Bob Smietana

Overview

Uncover the ways the Christian church has changed in recent years—from the decline of the mainline denominations to the mega-churchification of American culture—and a hopeful reimagining of what the church might look like going forward.

The United States is in the middle of an unprecedented spiritual, technological, demographic, political and social transformation—moving from an older, mostly white, mostly Protestant, religion-friendly society to a younger diverse, multiethnic, pluralistic culture, where no one faith group will have the advantage. At the same time, millions of Americans are abandoning organized religion altogether in favor of disorganized disbelief.  

Reorganized Religion is an in-depth and critical look at why people are leaving American churches and what we lose as a society as it continues. But it also accepts the dismantling of what has come before and try to help readers reinvent the path forward. This book looks at the future of organized religion in America and outline the options facing churches and other faith groups. Will they retreat? Will they become irrelevant? Or will they find a new path forward? 

Written by veteran religion reporter Bob Smietana, Reorganized Religion is a journalistic look at the state of the American church and its future. It draws on polling data, interviews with experts, and reporting on how faith communities old and new are coping with the changing religious landscape, along with personal stories about how faith is lived in everyday life. It also profiles faith communities and leaders who are finding interesting ways to reimagine what church might look like in the future and discuss various ways we can reinvent this organization so it survives and thrives. The book also reflects the hope that perhaps people of faith can learn to become, if not friends with the larger culture, then at least better neighbors.  

“A superb examination of the future of Christian institutions…. A must-read for anyone invested in the fate of the American church.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546001621
Publisher:	Worthy
Publication date:	08/29/2023
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	631,353
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Bob Smietana is an award-winning reporter and Pulitzer grantee who has become one of the most respected and well-known religion reporters in the country, with more than two decades experience in covering religion, spirituality, and ethics. He has served as a senior writer for Facts & Trends, senior editor of Christianity Today, and the religion writer at The Tennessean. He is currently a national reporter for Religion News Service, where his wire service stories — which attract wide readership from lay people, pastors and scholars — have appeared in both secular and religious publications, such at the Washington Post, USA Today, Christianity Today, and the Associated Press.

His reporting on a small Episcopal church saved by refugees inspired the 2017 Affirm Films feature “All Saints,” while his reporting on young serpent handlers inspired the 2013 National Geographic television series Snake Salvation. In April 2021, his reporting on Beth Moore’s breakup with the Southern Baptists was a top story at Christianity Today and the second most read story at the Washington Post. On the day it was published, it was cited on the front page of the New York Times and prompted a national conversation about women in the Southern Baptist Convention. Bob has also reported on the troubles of Christian finance guru Dave Ramsey, the challenges facing megachurches like Willow Creek, end-times cat worshippers, and even a Nashville cult funded by “How Great is Our God,” one of the five most popular worship songs in the country, which attracted millions of page views and readers.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Reorganized Religion vii

Part 1 Where We Stand

Chapter 1 A Changing World 3

Chapter 2 Making the World Less Awful 33

Part 2 Why People Are Leaving

Chapter 3 They Don't Love Us Anymore 65

Chapter 4 Preserve the Base 79

Chapter 5 The Hamlet Problem 90

Chapter 6 The Land of Mini and Mega Churches 102

Chapter 7 A Political Problem 119

Part 3 Where Do We Go From Here?

Chapter 8 Organized Disbelief 143

Chapter 9 Choosing the Future 162

Chapter 10 The Church We Hoped For 194

Conclusion: Prepare to Live 211

Acknowledgments 224

Notes 227

Editorial Reviews

"Disruption describes our times, and the church is not immune. Most of us can't recall in our lifetime a season with more disruption in the local church than now. How did we get here? Where do we go from here? These are questions I am asked constantly. Reporter Bob Smietana helps us with this important book. He describes the issues facing the church today with the precision of a journalist yet without trying to advocate for an outcome. If you want to understand how we got to the place we are and gain valuable information on how to move forward, you will want to read this book."—Ed Stetzer, Wheaton College

“Religion in the United States is changing dramatically, and veteran religion reporter Bob Smietana skillfully helps us navigate how we got here—and where we are headed. Using interviews, research data and other journalistic tools, he shows us how communities are dealing with America's reshaped religious landscape. Through a reporter's lens, he takes us on an illuminating journey to show us in detail how people of faith are finding new ways to imagine what religion can look like in a more diverse, pluralistic culture.”—Sarah Pulliam Bailey, religion reporter for the Washington Post

“Telling rich stories about people and communities across a vast religious spectrum, Smietana delivers his insights on reimagining American Christianity and organized religion more broadly.”—Library Journal

"What’s clear—from Smietana’s perspective—is that previous versions of church, especially 'white' church, won’t serve what Pew Research calls the increasingly diverse and pluralistic 'next America'"—The Gospel Coalition

"Bob Smietana is one of the most well-respected journalists covering American religion. That reputation comes from decades of steady, unbiased, and truthful reporting about the subject that he loves. That passion and skill comes through clearly in Reorganized Religion. Drawing on his extensive networks of scholars, activists, and faith practitioners, this book stands a testament to where religion is and where it will be in the near future. This book serves as an authoritative work on the economic, political, social, and spiritual implications when churches close their doors across the United States." 
 —Ryan Burge, professor of political science, author of The Nones

From the Publisher

★ 09/12/2022

Smietana (The Breath of Life), a reporter for Religion News Service, delivers a superb examination of the future of Christian institutions. He suggests that the pan-denominational decline in church membership that began in the 1960s is the result of white churches’ reluctance to diversify as the population of nonwhite Americans grows. The author also points to the pandemic, noting that “most congregations saw worship attendance drop by at least 10 percent.” Digging into how cultural changes have depressed church affiliation, Smietana suggests that the corrosion of trust in institutional authority, the rise of megachurches, and increasing political polarization have all contributed. He explores how churches are adapting and what the future of organized religion might look like, telling the story of an aging, predominantly white church that merged with a nearby “youthful, multiethnic congregation,” allowing both to benefit from the former’s facilities and the latter’s knack for connecting with younger congregants. Such anecdotes offer a vivid look into the state of organized Christianity, and the author’s perceptive analysis reflects his decades of reporting on the “Godbeat.” This is a must-read for anyone invested in the fate of the American church. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

05/01/2022

Award-winning religion reporter Smietana analyzes the state of American Christianity, looking particularly at reasons for churches' shrinking populations. Beyond marking the decline of U.S. churches, Smietana also looks at trends that span denominations and faiths (including the rise of the "nones," people who have abandoned organized religion altogether). Some of his insights barely require mention (e.g., political and social polarization), but more intriguing is Smietana's contention that megachurches have, paradoxically, sped the decline of church congregations by making it easy for Christians to disengage and drop out. Besides the tendency of megachurches to rise or fall around a single leader, they hollow out middle-tier congregations, leaving churches that are too small to minister as they once had. While Smietana voices a certain amount of skepticism that megachurches can create the communities needed for a thriving society, he holds out hope for smaller congregations that are able to find creative ways to nourish their members. VERDICT Telling rich stories about people and communities across a vast religious spectrum, Smietana delivers his insights on reimagining American Christianity and organized religion more broadly.—James Wetherbee

Library Journal