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Ollie, Ryman, Burge and Stevie talk about making it to Wembley for the Vertu Trophy Final, as well as discussing the reality of Reading next in the League.
Only one denomination in the United States has grown consistently. Drawing from nearly fifty years of data, Ryan Burge's analysis shows a denomination that has not only maintained stability but also demonstrated resilience, growth, and demographic vitality. From membership and attendance trends to conversion inflows and racial diversity, the Assemblies of God presents a statistical profile that is almost entirely positive, even after the shock of COVID-19. While many traditions wrestle with long-term decline, the Assemblies of God appears poised for continued strength. The post The Burge Report: The Assemblies of God: Why This Denomination Is Defying Gravity appeared first on Church Answers.
Matthew 25:1-15
James 2:1-25
The Progress Texas board has begun announcing their endorsements in the 2026 election, and if you don't live in North Texas, one you might be less familiar with is Kevin Burge - a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and cybersecurity specialist currently running for the U.S. House in Texas' 24th Congressional District, which has significant overlap with Texas State Senate District 9- the site of that massive blue flip with Taylor Rehmet's win, and a race featuring a particularly distasteful incumbent in Republican Congresswoman and MAGA darling Beth Van Duyne. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Kevin Burge's background includes combat service in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and cybersecurity service in the White House - we find him an exemplary candidate with a great story and terrific potential to win and serve with distinction.Learn more about Kevin and his campaign at https://www.burgeforcongress.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
In this interview I'm joined by Dr. Ryan Burge (aka, Graphs about Religion) to discuss the state of religion in America. We cover claims of a Gen Z revival, the decline of mainline Protestantism, and what the data tells us about polarization. Read the Book: https://amzn.to/3ZrUpqnWant to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/Support the show
Send us a textWhy do some stories immediately capture students' attention—while others lose them halfway through?In this episode of Growing With Proficiency, I sit down with Erica Peplinsky-Burge to explore what the brain tells us about storytelling, attention, and student engagement in the world language classroom.This conversation goes beyond “telling better stories.” We unpack why storytelling works, how the brain processes language through narrative, and what teachers can do to keep students listening without feeling like they need to perform or entertain.If you've ever wondered:Why students tune out during storiesHow to make storytelling feel more intentional and less exhaustingWhat actually keeps the brain engaged during listeningThis episode will help you rethink storytelling through a brain-based lens—so your stories support comprehension, connection, and confidence.This conversation is especially helpful for teachers who want more student engagement, stronger listening skills, and sustainable instructional practices.RESOURCES:Erica Peplinski-BurgeMitten CI: Register here GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting ListGrowing With CI FB CommunityBlogTeacher Pay Teachers Store
Many of us have been grieved by the polarization we see rending so many churches. What role has this played in America's growing secularization and what our guest has called “the great dechurching”? And is that dechurching now actually in reverse? Fundamentally, what can we do to pursue the flourishing of both the church and the nation?In this episode, our guide is Ryan Burge, an ordained minister, best-selling author and professor of practice at the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. His book The Vanishing Church draws upon his scholarship as a data scientist, and his experience as a pastor, to explore how the church has been harmed by, and can offer healing from, the excesses of political combat and division:"[Attending church] is just good for your soul. It's just good for you as a person to be part of a community like that ... I think it's actually going to be good for democracy for you to realize what it's like to go ... get in the real world and realize it's actually a cool place to hang out, and there's value in that."This episode is drawn from an online conversation recorded in 2026. Please subscribe to this podcast - it helps people find us.And we hope you'll consider becoming a member of our community, the Trinity Forum Society. Join us in exploring timeless Christian wisdom together, so you gain clarity and courage for your own life, and help cultivate a renewed culture of hope. You can do this at our website, ttf.org.
Security expert Elizabeth Neumann, author of "Kingdom of Rage" and a former member of the Department of Homeland Security, responds to situations like what's been happening in Minneapolis. How do you balance the need for border security and compassion? How do you live a courageous faith in this context? Religous researcher Ryan Burge, author of "The Vanishing Church," talks about how many churches have become culturally, economically, politically homogeneous. This has impacted the broader society in negative ways, and our impact for the gospel. The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here
Schulz, Benedikt www.deutschlandfunk.de, Tag für Tag
Grant Burge is a great friend of the show and it was a good catch up with Simon Nash and Jill Upton.The Corryton Burge story is a really interesting and so is the family story of Grant and his family building a brand again and selling wine around the world.(Pictured here with son Trent)@thewineshowaustralia @corrytonburge
SEGMENT 1: WEST COAST CITIES IN CRISIS Guest: Jeff Bliss (Pacific Watch) Bliss surveys struggling western cities: Las Vegas grapples with $45 martinis reflecting inflation pressures, Seattle deteriorates worse than Portland, while In-N-Out Burger expands eastward seeking better markets. San Francisco's doom loop deepens as LA gangs now control homeless encampments, marking new lows in urban dysfunction.1901 HUMBOLDT RIVER
The Rise of the "Nones" and the Politics Driving People Out of Church In this episode of the Good Faith Podcast, Ryan Burge joins Curtis Chang to explore The Vanishing Church and the decline of moderate American congregations, using hard data and his lived experience as a longtime pastor, political scientist, and statistician. Ryan and Curtis explore how evangelicals, mainline Protestants, Catholics, and the religious "nones" are changing—and what that means for polarization, social cohesion, and democracy in America. Burge offers a practical challenge for the lonely or spiritually curious—show up to church even if you don't believe—and makes a case for gratitude and community in an anxious age. 06:25 - Evangelicals: Political Shift and Homogeneity 13:59 - Mainline Protestants: Decline and Diversity 19:06 - Aging and Future of Mainline Churches 23:05 - American Catholics: Stability and Rightward Shift 28:31 - Priest Shortages and Cultural Challenges 30:36 - The Rise of the Nones 31:25 - Political Drivers of Religious Disaffiliation 40:17 - Polarization: Politics and Economics 47:54 - Addressing Polarization: Individual Responsibility 50:23 - Advice for Pastors: Preaching Beyond Politics 52:31 - Signs of Hope and Gratitude Register for the Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference Sign up for the Good Faith Newsletter Mentioned In This Episode: Ryan Burge's The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us (Why the Culture Wars Led to Polarization and What We Can Do About It) Read Ephesians 3:10 (ESV) Read Colossians 1:16-18 (ESV) Danforth Center on Religion and Politics Ryan Burge, Michael Graham, and Jim Davis' The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? More about Dorothy Day More from Ryan Burge: Substack: Graphs About Religion Follow Ryan on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/ryanburge More about Ryan Burge's work Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.
Over the last 30 years, the number of Americans who say they highly value patriotism, religion, community, and family has dropped dramatically. At the same time, the number of Americans who care about making more money has gone up. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye discuss David Brooks' new article about the culture's shift toward autonomy and away from loving attachments, and how Christians can begin rebuilding their social muscles. Sociologist and former pastor, Ryan Burge, is back to discuss why the political polarization of Christianity is hurting both the church and democracy. Also this week, why small houses are better for your soul, and monkeys are missing in St. Louis—or are they? Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/148707266/ Bonus Interview with Ryan Burge: https://www.patreon.com/posts/148694023/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:38 - Theme Song 4:45 - Sponsor - Poncho - If you've been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your first order by using this link: https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/holypost 5:12 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/lasb/?utm_campaign=Bibles%20-%20NLT%20Life%20Applicati[…]ource=Holy%20Post%20Podcast&utm_medium=Microsite%20Nov%202025 7:00 - The Monkeys are Loose in St. Louis! 15:24 - David Brooks on Love 38:00 - Are You Socially Muscular? 50:33 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 51:30 - Sponsor - PolicyGenius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 52:34 - Interview 55:34 - Number of Christians Holding Steady 1:00:23 - Do Revivals Need to be Inside the Church? 1:09:38 - What is a Moderate Congregation? 1:17:50 - Evangelicalism Became Fundamentalism 1:24:00 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Monkeys! On the Loose! https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/us/monkeys-loose-st-louis.html We're Living Through the Great Detachment: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/opinion/americans-marriage-loneliness-love.html Elizabeth Oldfield on Social Muscles: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/opinion/community-housing-friendship.html Other Resources: The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us (Why the Culture War Led to Polarization and What We Can Do About it) by Ryan Burge: https://amzn.to/4r1rbKL Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Religion sociologist and Religion Unplugged contributor Ryan Burge sits down with culture critic Joseph Holmes to discuss Ryan's book "The Vanishing Church" and why the church has lost its ability to bring Americans together.
In this episode, we look at Ryan Burge's latest analysis showing how the modern Democratic coalition is being pulled apart by widening religious divides. While Republicans continue to draw support from a largely Christian voter base, Democrats now include two groups with opposite religious profiles: highly secular white voters and deeply religious voters of color. This creates major messaging and policy tensions within the party, tensions that didn't exist at the same scale in earlier decades. The post The Burge Report: The Democrats Have a Religion Problem (Does It Matter?) appeared first on Church Answers.
Ezekiel 33:1-20
Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Doug Clay about the state of the Assemblies of God as the New Year begins. Clay is AG general superintendent and author of Conversations with My Younger Self and 13: Leadership Is More Than Luck, both published by Gospel Publishing House. This past year, the Assemblies of God received favorable notice in political scientist Ryan Burge's popular religious data Substack, Graphs About Religion. One post, titled "The Assemblies of God: A Denomination That May Be Growing," reported that the AG is bucking the trend of denominational decline. "Almost every major denomination is losing members at an incredibly rapid pace," he writes, with the exception of two small denominations. "But there is a major denomination that was on an upward trajectory for a very long time and stood as an aberration in the larger Protestant landscape: The Assemblies of God. They experienced very consistent growth over the last couple of decades." Burge focused on steady AG growth over several decades, but in his editorial for the Winter 2026 issue of Influence, Doug Clay notes that the AG experienced growth between 2023–24, the last year for which there is a complete statistical report. "From 2023–24, adherence rose 2.5%, Spirit baptisms 3.9%, membership 4.1%, in-person attendance 6.2%, conversions 10%, water baptisms 12.1%, and new church charters 33.6%," he writes. Every year, the President gives a State of the Union Address to Congress. Think of this podcast as an AG State of the Union for 2026. SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Introduction 02:08 — Why is the Assemblies of God growing? 07:00 — How do we balance church growth with the fact that outward success isn't a reliable measure of the Church's strength? 10:16 — The AG in the United States is having a remarkable run, but what can you tell us about what's happening in AG churches around the world that don't share our experience? 13:47 — What new ministry initiatives is the AG pursuing this year? 20:33 — Update listeners on the progress of the building renovations of the national office. 24:10 — What headwinds are the AG facing, and what are the best Spirit-empowered practices for responding to them? 30:03 — Based on your recent sabbatical, make the case for ministers scheduling regular times for rest and recovery. 33:50 — What are you reading right now that's interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 36:03 — Conclusion
The 1st century church was known for its radical inclusion and sacrificial love and that's exactly what the 21st century church should be known for too. Join us today as Zach W. Lambert continues our Here For Good series by talking about what this initiative means for the good of our church and why it matters so much!We live-stream every Sunday at 9:30am CT. If you'd like to connect with Restore, go to www.restoreaustin.org/connect.Resources Referenced:The Misunderstood Reason Millions of Americans Stopped Going to Church by Jake MeadorSurvey from Ryan Burge and Paul Djupte - https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/7/17/we-asked-the-nones-a-bunch-of-questions-about-leaving-religion The Great DeChurching by Burge, Davis, and Graham
What's actually happening to the church in America and why does it matter beyond Sunday morning? In this episode I'm joined by Ryan Burge, a social scientist who studies religion in the U.S. and brings long-term data, charts, and lived pastoral experience into a conversation often driven by fear or nostalgia. We discuss his book The Vanishing Church, the quiet decline of the moderate church, the rise of polarization inside Christianity, and how broader cultural tribalism has reshaped faith communities. We also explore the growth of the religious “nones,” why church closures are happening steadily but largely unnoticed, and what's lost when the church can no longer function as a space where people learn how to live together across difference.Ryan Burge is professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. Before that he was an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, and was also the graduate coordinator. He has authored over thirty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters alongside four books about religion and politics in the United States. He has written for the New York Times, POLITICO, and the Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in an NBC Documentary, on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, as well as 60 Minutes which called him, “one of the country's leading data analysts on religion and politics.” He served as a pastor in the American Baptist Church for over twenty years, leading First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, IL for 17.5 years until its closure in July 2024. He has been married to his wife Jacqueline for over seventeen years. They have two boys.Ryan's Book:The Vanishing ChurchRyan's Recommendation:DominionConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowGet Your Sidekick Support the show
Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this conversation, we're joined by Ryan Burge, professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics and author of The Vanishing Church. Burge walks us through what the data actually shows about religion in America—especially the quiet collapse of mainline Protestantism and the growing alignment between political identity and religious affiliation. We talk about why religious change is usually slow, why the 1990s marked a real inflection point, and how churches that once brought politically diverse Americans together are disappearing. The result, Burge argues, is not just a weaker church, but a weaker democracy—more isolated, more polarized, and less capable of holding disagreement without rupture.Book MentionedThe Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781587436697Guest BioRyan Burge is a sociologist of religion and political scientist who studies religious change, polarization, and the rise of the religiously unaffiliated. He serves as Professor of Practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. Before entering academia full-time, Burge spent nearly two decades as a local church pastor. He is the author of The Nones, The Great Dechurching, and The Vanishing Church, and writes regularly at his Substack, Graphs About Religion.Support the show
COUNTDOWN 30 of the most listened to episodes for 2025. Rob chats with journalist and author Michael Burge (he/him) about his new crime fiction novel Dirt Trap (MidnightSun Publishing), a sequel to Tank Water. They discuss writing rural noir and queer history, the silences that shape small towns, and what happens when truth finally breaks through. Michael talks about blending crime-thriller pace with emotional weight, writing justice into places that resist it, and why representation in regional stories matters more than ever.
Nearly five years after COVID-19 lockdowns, the research reveals surprising truths about how Americans engage with church online and what that means for pastors and ministry leaders. While 91% of churches now livestream services, only about 14% of Americans watch weekly. Most online viewers are also in-person attenders, meaning livestreams tend to serve already-committed believers rather than reaching the unchurched. The dream of a large “online-only” congregation just doesn't match the numbers. In this episode of the Burge Report, Ryan, Thom, and Sam give their key takeaways. The post The Burge Report: Who's Really Watching Online Church? appeared first on Church Answers.
THIS EPISODE We look back on a great 2025 and look forward to an even better 2026! Rob and Vinnie reflect and share one of their favorite interviews from 2025—the renowned Dr. Gary Burge! Also, it's the final week of the year, and a great time to make one last donation to a non-profit! Determinetruth is a 501(c)3, and we'd love your support. Maybe consider making a one-time donation, or becoming an ongoing supporter in 2026! Connect with Determinetruth on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/determinetruth FOLLOW THE PODCAST Subscribe to be notified of our new episodes (each Monday). Want to help us expand the Gospel of the Kingdom? Leave a review, “like” the podcast, or share it with others. CONNECT WITH DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES The Determinetruth Podcast is a ministry of Determinetruth Ministries. We offer free resources to equip pastors, leaders, and the body of Christ in the US and worldwide for service in the kingdom of God. You can visit us online at https://www.determinetruth.com SUPPORT DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES Determinetruth is a non-profit 501(c)(3), and relies completely on the financial support of our partners around the world. Please consider partnering with us and making a tax-deductible donation https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/3648601 Want a FREE CHAPTER from Rob's latest book? Sign up for email updates from Determinetruth. https://mailchi.mp/5672d33f2b95/dt-podcast Music: “Love is Against the Grain” (Dime Store Prophets) #BiblePodcast #TheologyPodcast #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudyPodcast #BiblicalTruth #FaithPodcast #politics #ChristianNationalism #suffering #thechurch #paul #timothy #ecclesiology #Fellowship #Mutual encouragement #Service #Corporateworship #Teaching #theWord #Communion #pastors #missions #women #complementarian #egalitarian #authority #colossians
Stop Settling for Average: Leadership, Kingdom Mindset, and Elite Discipline with Dr. Shannon Burge"Performance is a choice. Leadership is a responsibility."In this episode of The CVMK Show, we sit down with the powerhouse Dr. Shannon Burge—a former Fortune 500 executive, IFBB Pro, and founder of the NoDefeat movement.We're stripping away the corporate fluff and the "influencer" hype to get to the core of what it actually takes to lead. Shannon shares her journey from the boardroom to the stage, proving that you cannot lead a movement, a company, or a family if you cannot first lead yourself.Inside this episode, we dive deep into:The Leadership Gap: Why your team isn't following you, and how to fix your internal discipline first.Fitness as a Foundation: Why physical training is the ultimate "cheat code" for mental toughness and executive endurance.Kingdom & Capital: How to align your ambition with your faith and use success as a tool for a higher purpose.The NoDefeat Philosophy: Reclaiming your power when the world expects you to settle.It's time to stop making excuses and start performing at the level you were created for. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an athlete, or an "Everyday Hero," this conversation is your blueprint for the next level.
America has a religious landscape unlike any other country on earth. But it is rapidly changing. In this episode, we interview Ryan Burge, a leading demographer on religious trends in America. We discuss the present state and future of evangelicalism. And we explore the growth and status of other religious groups such as Jews, Muslims, Latter-day Saints, Black Protestants, Secularism, and more. Finally, we ask Dr. Burge for his insights on how Evangelicals can best pass on their faith to the next generation. Ryan's latest book is The American Religious Landscape: Facts, Trends, and the Future.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
Regular readers of MinistryWatch know that I'm a bit of a Ryan Burge fan-boy. His weekly Substack column, “Graphs About Religion,” is required reading for me. I cite it often in my weekly “Signs and Wonders” column. That's why I'm kind of geeking out today, now that we finally have him on the podcast. The occasion for this get-together is his new book. It's called The Vanishing Church: How The Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us. I've got to admit that when I saw the title of this book, I thought to myself, “I'm not sure the hollowing out of moderate congregations is such a bad thing.” Jesus himself didn't have much use for lukewarm Christians. But I have to admit that, after reading Ryan's book, I have – well – moderated my position on moderate congregations. At least…moderately. As you'll hear, I push back on Ryan's thesis a bit, and as I think you will also hear, this was a lively and respectful conversation. Ryan Burge is a professor of practice at The Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. He previously taught at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of several previous books, including his 2023 book The Great Dechurching, which may have been my onramp to Ryan's work. In addition to writing his weekly Substack column, which I just mentioned, he is also a regular contributor to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, and other publications. He has appeared on CBS News' flagship program 60 Minutes, and has been cited by countless other news programs, podcasts, and news articles. We had this conversation via zoom. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. If you are listening to this program during the week we dropped it, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Thanks for making MinistryWatch a part of your holiday festivities. Until next time, may God bless you.
Christmas is the story of God becoming one of us—entering our world, sharing our struggles, and walking through the same temptations we face. In this episode of Charis Daily, Ricky Burge explores the incredible journey of Jesus: a Savior who cried our tears, felt our pressure, and yet emerged victorious over every challenge. This Christmas season, discover how the journey of Jesus becomes a roadmap for your own life. Through Him, you can walk in victory, peace, and confidence—no matter what you're facing! For more resources and to view our upcoming conferences and events: www.charisbiblecollege.org.
In this episode, Sam and Ryan Burge discuss how pastors become pastors. Using data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders, the cohosts reveal that clergy often come to ministry through winding, unconventional paths—many after careers in other fields. Far from being single-focused, pastors frequently juggle multiple responsibilities: leading congregations, working as chaplains, and even holding non-ministry jobs. The numbers reveal both the beauty and burden of this calling: most clergy work 50+ hours a week, with a quarter clocking over 60. Yet despite financial pressures and demanding schedules, these leaders remain deeply committed to serving their communities and churches. The post The Burge Report: How Do Pastors Actually End Up in Ministry? appeared first on Church Answers.
A wealthy housewife found dead. A husband with everything to lose. And a scandalous relationship put on trial.In 1960, 52-year-old Mary Burge was discovered brutally murdered in her upscale Macon home, a crime that stunned the city and exposed fractures beneath its polished Southern image. When investigators dug deeper, suspicion turned not toward an intruder but toward her husband, Chester Burge, a powerful local businessman with a reputation as a ruthless slumlord. But Chester seemed to have an airtight alibi. The case only grew more explosive when allegations surfaced about Chester's relationship with his male chauffeur, thrusting queer identity into a courtroom and a jury that struggled to separate truth from prejudice, the trial became one of Georgia's most infamous murder mysteries. In this episode, we revisit a story where class, sexuality, and Southern respectability collided in ways the public never saw coming, pulling this LGBTQ+ true crime back into the light.Hosted by Jordi and Brad, Beers With Queers brings chilling crimes, queer stories, and twisted justice to light, all with a cold one in hand.Press play, grab a drink, and join us as we uncover the darkest corners of LGBTQ+ history.
This episode is going to get weird. This season, we are considering the Alaska State Motto – “North to the Future” as a model for a positive imagining of Anchorage's future. On this episode, AnchorED City Podcast host Joel Kiekintveld interviews himself about the future of religion in Anchorage. We want to hear your positive vision of the future! Record a voice memo on your phone of your positive vision for Anchorage's future and send the audio file to anchorageutc@gmail.com. Please put in the subject line of your email “North to the Future – My Vision.” https://www.facebook.com/akReclaim @akReclaim #anchoredcity https://anchorageutc.org https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC @AnchorageUTC Resources Used To Make This Episode: https://www.christiannewswire.com/over-45000-individuals-in-the-most-unchurched-region-in-america-to-hear-about-jesus-at-the-pdx-crusade/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/metro-area/portland-vancouver-or-wa/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/region/united-states/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/alaska/ https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ak-eklsnc https://www.stseraphim.org/radonitsa-the-orthodox-rejoicing-day-for-the-dead/ https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/10/29/anchorages-oldest-building-a-russian-orthodox-church-gets-new-life-in-restoration-project/ Smith, Gregory A. “Religious ‘nones' in America: Who They Are and What They Believe.” Pew Research Center, January 24, 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/01/24/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe/. See: Smith, Gregory A. “Has the Rise of Religious ‘nones' Come to an End in the U.S.?” Pew Research Center, January 24, 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/24/has-the-rise-of-religious-nones-come-to-an-end-in-the-us/. “Religious Change in America.” PRRI, May 15, 2025. https://www.prri.org/research/religious-change-in-america/#:~:text=Slightly%20more%20than%20three%20in,sexual%20abuse%20scandals%20(31%25). Jones, Jeffrey M. “U.S. Church Membership Falls below Majority for First Time.” Gallup.com, March 26, 2025. https://news.gallup.com/poll/341963/church-membership-falls-below-majority-first-time.aspx. Earls, Aaron. “Small Churches Continue Growing-but in Number, Not Size.” Lifeway Research, August 21, 2024. https://research.lifeway.com/2021/10/20/small-churches-continue-growing-but-in-number-not-size/. Burge, Ryan. “Is Anyone Going to Church More Now than They Used To?” Graphs about Religion, November 2, 2023. https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/is-anyone-going-to-church-more-now. Kiekintveld, J.S., 2019. Join Me in the Commons: Towards a Contextual Urban Ministry Education Model for Anchorage, Alaska (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria (South Africa)) - https://repository.up.ac.za/items/1627110e-393d-4b3b-abc2-5389ddd94f91
Sponsors: The Clergy Confessions Podcast (www.clergyconfessions.com); Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity (www.gardner-webb.edu); Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (www.bsk.edu); Baylor's Garland School of Social Work; The Community Transformation Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University (www.pbactc.org); The Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org); and The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary (www.upsem.edu/). Join the listener community at www.classy.org/campaign/podcast-…r-support/c251116. Music from HookSounds.com.
New QWS Podcast Episode S4E10 Michael Burge Rob chats with journalist and author Michael Burge (he/him) about his new crime fiction novel Dirt Trap (MidnightSun Publishing), a sequel to Tank Water. They discuss writing rural noir and queer history, the silences that shape small towns, and what happens when truth finally breaks through. Michael talks about blending crime-thriller pace with emotional weight, writing justice into places that resist it, and why representation in regional stories matters more than ever.
Sam and Ryan Burge take a deep dive into the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), unpacking the denomination's unique growth patterns, size distribution, and robust recordkeeping. They explore surprising statistics on membership trends, baptisms, and church finances—revealing why some PCA congregations thrive while others remain stagnant. The co-hosts highlight key takeaways for understanding both the strengths and challenges of one of America's most data-rich evangelical denominations. The post The Burge Report: The Biggest Little Denomination: The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) appeared first on Church Answers.
For more than two decades, a shadow hung over Chicago's South Side; a police commander named John Burge and his so-called “midnight crew.” Their legacy: more than 110 Black men tortured into confessions, decades stolen, and a city complicit in silence. In CNN's Tortured Justice: The Burge Legacy, anchor and reporter Omar Jimenez revisits the men, the pain, and the pursuit of justice that refuses to die. From basement interrogation rooms to courtrooms still haunted by the past, this is a story about what happens when power corrodes accountability—and whether America can ever truly reckon with its own cruelty. He joins us to talk about that and his journey to that story. Tweet us at @podcastcolors. Check out our partner program on international affairs, Global with JJ Green on Substack. Please subscribe. Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.
From diapers to dating, parenting never stops presenting hard questions. But today's concern is different: Gen Z teens are experiencing a full-blown collapse in social connection. Dating is down. Friend time is down. Jobs are down. According to Monitoring the Future, the percentage of antisocial high school seniors quintupled from 3.5% in 1995 to nearly 16% in 2022. But here's the twist: the one group that remained more socially engaged? Teens who attend church monthly. In today's episode, Ryan, Thom, and Sam unpack the surprising role of religion in keeping kids socially healthy—and what churches can do to help. The post The Burge Report: The Kids Aren't Alright—And Church Student Ministry Might Actually Help appeared first on Church Answers.
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
In this conversation, Mike Burge discusses his journey in the real estate industry, focusing on wholesaling and the unique advantages of his business model that combines wholesaling with a real estate brokerage. He shares insights on lead generation, market expansion, and the importance of building relationships with investors. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced in the competitive real estate market and the strategies for overcoming them, including the significance of networking and community involvement. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
Studies on the content of sermons exist, and most indicate that pastors include some political topics in their sermons. But which topics? Ryan, Thom, and Sam reveal the answer. When asked about politics and the pulpit, few congregants say their pastors often speak about political issues. But is that really the case? The post The Burge Report: Do Churchgoers Want More or Less Politics in the Pulpit? appeared first on Church Answers.
On today's EXTRA Episode, Warren Smith discusses new research from Ryan Burge on “exvangelicals.” Burge's conclusion: The movement is “way overblown.” To read a transcript of today's episode, click here. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.
Well, Ryan Burge is back with a bunch of graphs about religion. We covered the supposed "Gen Z revival" (spoiler alert: Ryan's data says it's not happening), dove deep into some philosophical sociology about why people are leaving religion, and I went on my usual tangents about Charles Taylor and Hartmut Rosa, while Ryan kept bringing us back to earth with actual numbers. We also spent way too much time discussing whether teenagers will ever figure out how to ask someone on a date without an app, why Ted Cruz's theology is embarrassingly bad, and how both sides of the political aisle are united in their moral outrage over protecting children - whether that's the Epstein stuff or what's happening in Palestine. Classic Friday afternoon with Ryan. Want the full conversation? This is just a taste of what we covered in over two hours of completely unhinged discussion. If you're a member of either Graphs About Religion (Ryan's substack) or Process This (mine), you get access to the entire unedited conversation, plus invitations to join us live for future streams. Dr. Ryan Burge is a professor of practice at the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently working on “Making Meaning in a Post-Religious America” - funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. Previous Visits from Ryan Burge The 2024 Election & Religion Post-Mortem Distrust & Denominations Trust, Religion, & a Functioning Democracy What it's like to close a church The Future of Christian Education & Ministry in Charts The Sky is Falling & the Charts are Popping! Graphs about Religion & Politics w/ Spicy Banter a Year in Religion (in Graphs) Evangelical Jews, Educated Church-Goers, & other bits of dizzying data 5 Religion Graphs w/ a side of Hot Takes Myths about Religion & Politics UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing This transformative online class brings together distinguished scholars from biblical studies, theology, history, and faith leadership to offer exactly what our moment demands: the rich, textured wisdom of multiple academic disciplines speaking into our contemporary quest for justice. Here you'll discover how ancient texts illuminate modern struggles, how theological reflection deepens social action, and how historical understanding opens new possibilities for faithful engagement with our world's brokenness and beauty. Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at www.FaithAndPolitics.net Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here. _____________________ This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 50 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New religious data in the United States was released recently, and Ryan Burge joins the show with Sam to discuss the details. In 2024, Gen Z showed relatively strong religious attendance compared to other generations. Twenty-four percent of Gen Z reported attending religious services weekly—two percentage points higher than both Millennials and Gen X. While 53% of Gen Z attend less than once a year, that's actually the lowest percentage of infrequent attenders among all the generations analyzed. The post The Burge Report: Is Gen Z More Religiously Engaged than Their Parents? appeared first on Church Answers.
Heather and Heidi Burge inspired the film “Double Teamed” and now 23 years later, they’re sitting down with Will and Sabrina to talk about their lives and how they the DCOM came about.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The IRS has decided churches are no longer prohibited from endorsing political candidates. Is this a win for free speech or a reason for some churches to become even more partisan? The Department of Homeland Security has released a creepy new promotional video that uses the Bible to frame border security as a mission from God. The Christian who gave George W. Bush the idea of “compassionate conservatism” says the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill marks the end of an era for the GOP. Professor Ryan Burge is back with data about the religious outlook of Gen Z. Some see evidence of a revival, but Burge says it's probably wishful thinking. Also this week, animal fashion news: chimp drip edition. World Relief: https://worldrelief.org/advocate/ Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Ryan Burge: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134198348/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134204161/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:22 - Theme Song 3:44 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 4:48 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order 5:55 - Chimp Fashion! 12:56 - Christian in Government with PEPFAR 16:07 - The Johnson Amendment 29:24 - Bible Verse in an ICE Recruitment Ad 40:59 - Why Is the Church So Libertarian? 55:33 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 56:42 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 58:00 - Interview 1:00:45 - Why Are They Saying It's a “Revival?” 1:09:05 - Can Revival Be Predicted? 1:16:50 - Church and Loneliness 1:29:46 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Chimps and Grassy Fashion! https://www.iflscience.com/chimps-are-sticking-grass-in-their-ears-and-rears-as-they-embrace-pointless-fad-79910 Other Resources: Ryan Burge's Article on Gen Z Revival: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/is-there-a-religious-revival-occurring Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
TitanDiscGolf.com presents Staggered Stance! Listeners of the show get a special discount when they checkout with code "staggeredstance"! Be sure to check them out online for all of your disc golf needs. #ad Interviews with: Rebecca Don, Taylor Chocek, Luke Taylor, Cole Redalen, Gannon Buhr, Sullivan Tipton, Harry Chace, Ezra Robinson, Silas Schultz, Alden Harris, Matt Schlabach. Subscribe for more videos! Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/user-133590777 iTunes Spotify Google Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/thestaggeredstance http://facebook.com/thenickandmattshow https://mobile.twitter.com/thenickandmatt1 Music LIcense: LY0XEIIZ6CWSMDGO XRVZVZ7BAOBWP7DX 1YAVSUTMQNQBG9PA KTNCHLXZHCSSWHNT
Both prophets and conspiracy theorists cater to the human desire to make sense of chaos. This connection sparks compelling questions: Do religious belief and conspiracy thinking go hand in hand, as both involve leaps of imagination? Or does a strong religious framework offer enough structure, reducing the need for conspiracy theories? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss what the hard data reveals. The post The Burge Report: Are Religious People More Prone to Conspiracy Theories? appeared first on Church Answers.