Podcasts about Burge

Is it true that the moderates are a vanishing breed, both in the culture and the church? Who are the religious moderates and what are the implications of their disappearance? How has religion shifted from a faith journey to a tribal identity? We'll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr Ryan Burge, from his new book, The Vanishing Church.Ryan Burge is professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of 6 books and has written for the New York Times, POLITICO, and the Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in a number of other media outlets including, the CBS Evening News, as well as 60 Minutes which called him, “one of the country's leading data analysts on religion and politics."==========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.  

The Katherine Massey Book Club @ The C.O.W.S. hosts the 10th session on lyin' Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Alexander has a living White mother and a deceased Black father. Despite 15 years of institutional celebration for her work, Gus T. anticipated this title being one of the "5 Worst Books Ever." History shows that racists generally do not promote literature that provides an accurate understanding of the System of White Supremacy. Deception by Omission & Respectability Hypocrisy: A serious exploration of prisons and Racism must account for the systemic forces that built them. This week, we expose the staggering double standard at the heart of Alexander's narrative as she wades into the murky waters of respectability politics and cultural policing. Last week's review included: 1. The Cosby Contradiction & Elite Scolding: Alexander mocks the media for fawning over Bill Cosby's stern lectures to Black audiences about personal responsibility. Yet, in the very next breath, she launches into her own academic "Pound Cake speech"—scolding black youth for "raunchy" hip-hop music, "decadent" culture, and sagging britches, pathologizing the community from her elite Stanford high-horse. 2. The Muted Terror of Jon Burge: While Alexander takes considerable time to discuss Chicago's carceral system in analytical detail, she practices a complete, sinister silence regarding police commander Jon Burge. She refuses to write one mumbling word about his decades-long campaign of racist torture, systemic black misandry, and the state-sanctioned genital mutilation of Black males. 3. The Death of "Colorblindness": By completely erasing Burge's violent, targeted torture ring out of the South and West Sides of Chicago, Alexander protects her fraudulent thesis. Acknowledging that the state explicitly tortured black males to manufacture false confessions would completely obliterate her safe, mainstream notion of a neutral, "colorblind" bureaucratic system. #COINTELPRO #TheRedboneDeception# # #TheCOWS17Years INVEST in The COWS – [http://paypal.me/TheCOWS](http://paypal.me/TheCOWS) Cash App: [https://cash.app/$TheCOWS](https://cash.app/$TheCOWS) CALL IN NUMBER: 720.716.7300 CODE 564943#

Are you carrying burdens God never intended you to bear? In this encouraging episode, we explore what it means to cast your cares on the Lord and rest in His love. Discover how faith is strengthened when you understand how deeply God cares for you, why worry and anxiety were never meant to define your life, and how to trust God even in the middle of life's challenges. If you're believing for healing, facing uncertainty, or feeling overwhelmed, this message will remind you that God has not forgotten you. He is with you, He cares for you, and He invites you to place every burden into His hands. Watch and learn more at: charisbiblecollege.org

2 Peter 1:1-18

We've enjoyed getting to know veteran, intelligence expert and proud family man Kevin Burge this election season - he was one of the SIX Progress Texas runoff endorsees to secure his Democratic nomination - and in Kevin's case, by a whopping and record-setting 78%. Kevin Burge is now running hard in TX-24 (much of the northern section of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex) to replace MAGA darling and zero-results Republican Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne.Learn more about Kevin and his career from our talk with him back in April at https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-257-dfw-congressional-candidate-and-pt-endorsee-kevin-burge.Learn more about and support Kevin's campaign for Congress 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/.

This is a research deep dive episode where host Matt Stickland goes into the weeds to explain how low property taxes make housing less affordable. Did Matt get anything wrong? Here are his sources: Oates (1969): the effects of property taxes and local public spending on property values Mieszkowski (1972): The property tax: an excise tax or a profits tax? Oats & Schwab (2009): The case for a land value tax Dye & England (2010) Assessing the theory and practice of land value taxation Bourassa (1990): The land value tax and housing development: A case study of Pittsburgh Tideman (1994): The Economics of Efficient taxes on land Palmon & Smith (1998): New evidence on property tax capitalization Lyu (2024): Revisiting property tax capitalization Hilber (2017): The economic implications of the house price capitalization: a synthesis Hull & Grodecka-Messi (2022): Measuring the impact of taxes and public services on property values: A double machine learning approach Charlot, Paty & Visalli (2013): Assessing the impact of local taxation on property prices: A spactia matching contribution Plassmann & Tideman (2000): A markov chain monte carlo analysis of the effect of two rate property taxes on construction Bruekner (1986): The structure of urban equilibria: A unified treatment of the Muth-Mills Model England & Zhao (2005): Assessing the distributive effects of a revenue-neutral shift from property tax to a land value tax Hartzok (1997): Pennsylvania's Success with local property tax reform: The Split-Rate Tax Banzhaf & Lavery (2010): Can the land value tax be used to rejuvenate our cities? Development charge studies Singell & Lillydahl (1990): An Empirical Examination of the Effect of Impact Fees on the Price of New Real Estate. Ihlanfeldt & Shaughnessy (2004): An Empirical Investigation of the Effects of Impact Fees on Housing and Land Prices. Dachis (2018/2024): Gimme Shelter: How High Municipal Housing Charges and Taxes Decrease Housing Supply. Skidmore & Peddle (1998): Do Development Impact Fees Reduce the Rate of Residential Development? Burge & Ihlanfeldt (2006): Impact Fees and Single-Family Home Construction. CMHC (2025): Development Charges: Who Bears the Cost? Dresch & Sheffrin (1997): Who Pays, and When? An Assessment of Generational Equity in the Case of Development Fees. Evans-Cowley & Lawhon (2003): The Effects of Impact Fees on Land Values and Development. Been (2005): Impact Fees and Housing Affordability And the Not Just Bikes video https://youtu.be/r7-e_yhEzIw?si=QG7OBmInRzzqZFpB

In this episode, we break down Ryan Burge's demographic analysis of American Protestant churches and the uncomfortable math behind membership decline. Using age-distribution data across major denominations, Burge argues many churches aren't stable—they're simply being “buoyed by the Baby Boomers.” With modal ages in the late 60s, shrinking numbers of young adults, and fewer children in the pipeline, many groups are approaching a demographic tipping point. Decline won't be gradual; it will feel slow and then sudden. Unless leaders plan now, some denominations could lose 30–50% of their adult members over the next couple of decades. The message is clear: this isn't a theological or programmatic problem. It's an actuarial problem, and the clock is already ticking. The post The Burge Report: Boomers Can't Save Us Forever: The Hard Truth About Church Demographics appeared first on Church Answers.

Time to vote, y'all! Early voting in the 2026 primary runoff is underway as of today (Monday 5/18), and the board at Progress Texas has picked Democrat Kevin Burge as one of our endorsees in this crucial midterm election. We welcome Kevin back for a runoff update - you can also hear our earlier conversation, which presents a deeper dive on his extensive background in government, the military and intelligence sectors at https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-257-dfw-congressional-candidate-and-pt-endorsee-kevin-burge.Learn more about Kevin's 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/⁠.

I know what it feels like to have a "productive" day that somehow leaves you completely disconnected from yourself. You made every meeting, answered every email, handled every priority, and then realized your own health never made it onto the calendar. That is the part of ambition we do not talk about enough. Dr. Shannon Burge joined me on Secrets of the Career Game to talk about what happens when high-achieving women keep putting health, fitness, and self-care on the back burner until their body forces the conversation. Shannon spent 15 years in Fortune 500 executive leadership, earned her PhD, became an IFBB figure pro athlete, and now helps executives and professionals reclaim their wellness through mindset, nutrition, movement, and community. This conversation is for the women who are excellent at showing up for everyone else, but keep canceling on themselves. If you are trying to grow your career, lead well, avoid burnout, and still feel like a person outside of your job, this one will hit. Inside this episode • Why high-achieving women often put health last • How to treat your wellness like a real calendar priority • Why self-care does not mean you are less committed at work • The four wellness pillars Shannon uses with busy professionals • How discipline at work can translate into better health habits • Why fulfillment matters when you are redefining success Play the Career Game On Your Terms: https://stan.store/thatcareercoach/p/3-months-of-group-coaching Connect with Dr. Shannon Burge: Website: www.nodefeat.co Instagram: @shannon_burge Nonprofit: www.nodefeatwarrior.com    

Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren Christian colleges are facing a federal challenge. Emily Belz is reporting for Christianity Today that a new Department of Education regulation “could crater” the programs of Christian colleges. Belz writes, “The regulation would label a bachelor's or master's program a “failure” if its graduates do not earn more than their peers without the degree. Students in these ‘failing' programs would be ineligible for federal financial aid.” Christina Why should Christian colleges be held to a lower standard than other colleges? Warren They shouldn't, but the Christian colleges are saying that this is not an apples-to-apples comparison. The graduates of engineering or accounting programs at Christian colleges should be compared to engineering and mathematics graduates of secular schools. But religious and theological studies students are not going into these fields for the money, and they don't have true analogs in secular schools. The new regulation essentially punishes students for their commitment to a ministry career. The Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities and the Association for Biblical Higher Education are fighting the new rules. Christina On May 4, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said the abortion inducing drug mifepristone – used in nearly two-thirds of U.S. abortions – can continue to be prescribed via telehealth, dispensed at retail pharmacies, and delivered to patients in the mail. Warren This is a huge setback for the pro-life cause. The Dispatch has provided a helpful “explainer” of what is going on now, especially at the states. Bottom line: thirteen states ban abortion entirely, but with telemedicine, abortions continue in those states. To see the status in all fifty states, click here. Christina Speaking of abortion, Ryan Burge injects some data into the conversation. Warren He has some graphs showing that support for abortion has gone up over the past 50 years, even among evangelicals. In some cases, support has gone up significantly. But that rise masks an important fact. From about 1997 until about 2007, support for abortion went down. Burge does not track the number of actual abortions, but they went down too. Christina So, what happened in 2007? Warren The iPhone. Facebook. Twitter. Correlation does not mean causality. But lots of social theorists from Jean Twenge to Jonathan Haidt have suggested that around 2007 is when we stopped talking to each other, and we retreated into our digital foxholes and started lobbing mortars at those in other foxholes. We used to persuade in the public square. Now, we pummel. The public square has become the scene of a cage fight. Whatever you think of my theory, I do suggest you check out Ryan Burge's data, which you can find here. Christina Colorado Springs has long been the mecca for Christian ministries, but in recent years there are signs that the city is losing its appeal. Warren The latest sign is the announcement that the pro-life organization Save The Storks is moving from The Springs to Dallas. The organization said in a statement that the move was “strategic,” to “centralize operations and expand support for women nationwide.” Christina They're not the first to leave. Warren CauseIQ estimates that about 20 ministries have moved or shut down in Colorado Springs in the past five years. In 2020, the Christian and Missionary Alliance national headquarters left Colorado Springs and moved to Columbus, Ohio, to be nearer the majority of its churches. Colorado Springs is still home to Focus on the Family, Compassion International, The Navigators, Young Life, and other major ministries, but as the city does not have a major airport, and – with traffic – downtown Colorado Springs can be two hours from the Denver airport. Christina We normally don't report about ourselves, but we have a few updates this week. Warren I was recently on Christianity Today's podcast The Bulletin. It was my second appearance in as many months. If you do not subscribe to The Bulletin, you can listen here. I also wanted to let you know that MinistryWatch has won recognition for our work from the Evangelical Press Association. Tony Mator, Kim Roberts, and I won awards at the annual meeting in Nashville. I also wanted to mention that we may need to re-name the MinistryWatch 1000 database. As of this week, we now have 1500 ministries in the database, representing more than $55 billion in annual revenue. Thanks to Kim Roberts, Rod Pitzer, Rob Martin, Stephen duBarry for their contributions to growing our database. Christina In fact, you and I are both in Nashville this week for the EPA conference. You'll be on the road next week, too. Warren Readers in Dallas, Colorado Springs, and Denver. I will also be in Dallas next week, and I will be holding a lunch for readers. I will be Knoxville later in May. I will be speaking at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs in June, so I will be doing reader lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs during that trip. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the podcast. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

May 14, 2026 - Join us for a discussion with Dr. Russell Burge, author of "The Promised Republic: Developmental Society and the Making of Modern Seoul." In conversation with policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre, Burge delves into the hidden histories of South Korea's rapid urban transformation during South Korea's developmental period under Park Chung Hee. Drawing from a rich archive of memoirs, interviews, photographs, and more, Burge challenges the traditional "miracle on the Han River" narrative by centering the rural migrants who built and inhabited Seoul's shantytowns. He provides a critical lens through which to view the high price of progress and the enduring struggle for a truly inclusive republic. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Kim Koo Foundation. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/2150-promised-republic

Institutional trust has collapsed nationwide across all age groups, but Gen Z is entering adulthood at historically low levels of trust toward institutions and toward other people. Yet there is a surprising glimmer of hope when it comes to religious institutions. Compared to Millennials, Gen Z shows slightly more openness to trusting the church, suggesting the story is not over. On this edition of The Burge Report, we discuss what pastors and churches can do to build bridges with Gen Z. The post The Burge Report: Gen Z and the Church: Lonely, Cautious, Skeptical, But… Open appeared first on Church Answers.

Ryan Burge, political scientist and professor of practice at WashU's Danforth Center on Religion & Politics, joins Megan Lynch. Pres Donald Trump outraged some Catholics this week with attacks on Pope Leo as well as an AI-generated image showing him as a 'Christlike' figure. Burge says Trump is risking a large voting block, 'after white evangelicals, there's no more important,' group. Burge says Trump may be, 'driving a wedge between American Catholicism,' and the world. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren Do non-profits contribute to the decline of cities? Aaron Renn, whose ideas I usually find nourishing, asked that question and came up with what I think is the wrong answer. Christina He said they did. Warren That's right, but I think this is one of the rare times his analysis is flawed. He has an analysis of leadership development in Indianapolis and has (tentatively) concluded that the rise of non-profits could be contributing to the decline of American cities. I recommend his analysis to you, even though I find it flawed in a number of ways. He is right to note that the number of non-profits has grown dramatically in the past few decades. Christina There are about 2 million non-profits in the country today, a huge increase in just the past decade. Warren That's right. And it's also true that many cities have non-profit leadership and “economic development” programs. But the analysis fails to note that most American cities have seen a remarkable revitalization over that period. The real crisis in America today is not the decline of cities, but the decline of small towns and the hollowing out of rural America as young people move into the cities that Renn says are in decline. Non-profits are not the problem. Renn, a clear thinker, has nonetheless in this case confused correlation with causation. One of the reasons for the growth of non-profits is their effectiveness in providing solutions to the problems Renn rightly identifies. Christina We've got links to Renn's study and other resources that might help with this issue in today's show notes. Warren, you took a look at artificial intelligence this week. What did you learn? Warren  A new study by Tufts University has identified which cities will be most affected by the growth of artificial intelligence. Not surprisingly, San Jose, Calif., home of Silicon Valley, will see the greatest impact. Washington, D.C., comes in at Number 2. Christina You can see the complete study in the show notes. But what does this have to do with ministries, and stewardship? Warren Fundraising executives and program managers – which includes a lot of non-profit jobs — are among the jobs to be most affected by the growth of AI. And, by the way, the job expected to be impacted the most, Christina, is journalism. So buckle up! Christina The Washington Post had a provocative article about growth in the Catholic Church, but you found the article to be wanting. Warren I did. The Washington Post headline proclaimed it knew “Why Catholicism is drawing in Gen Z men.” The answer: “Young men in their 20s and 30s are increasingly drawn to the Catholic Church as they seek truth, beauty and, yes, girlfriends.” The only problem: It is not true. At least not true generally. Ryan Burge, who tracks religion statistics, says that the Catholic Church is in decline. Further, weekly church attendance among practicing Catholics is in freefall. According to Burge, “There’s absolutely an uptick in new converts in the last few years. [But] even after these increases, the overall numbers are still significantly down from 2000.” To add insult to injury, more Catholics are becoming evangelicals than vice versa. The Washington Post article has seen a few anecdotes and confused them with data. Christina But the article noted that one Catholic diocese in Ohio had grown by 2000 people. That sounds like growth. Warren It does, but Burge noted that a single protestant megachurch in Ohio had grown by 2000 people. And not just one, but two churches. So it's important to put that growth in context. Christina While we're fact checking and myth busting this week, you have another myth to deconstruct. Warren It's what I call the “Overhead Myth.” That's the idea that non-profits should have as little overhead as possible. Christina What's wrong with trying to reduce overhead expenses? Warren Nothing…within reason. An interesting article at Candid (Guidestar) asserts that “every business pays for overhead, like salaries, rent, and technology, but this doesn't solely determine whether they are seen as successful.” The article asks, “So why are nonprofits judged differently?” It goes on to say, “The overhead myth states that organizations that spend less on overhead are more effective. But this thinking puts nonprofits at a disadvantage.” The article has a point. The bigger issue is not reducing overhead to zero, but being accountable, transparent, and efficient. I recommend all donors and ministry leaders read this article, which you can find in today's show notes. Christina Finally, Warren, I know a lot of our listeners have been following the Artemis moon mission. There's a faith angle to this story. Warren My friend Bobby Ross, Jr., has written a great article about Victor Glover, the pilot of the Artemis II ship currently coming home from the moon. Glover is active in Southeast Church of Christ in the Houston suburb of Friendswood, Texas. His elder flew to Florida to witness the liftoff of the Artemis mission. To read a 2021 interview with Glover in which he discusses his faith, and taking communion in space, again, go to day's show notes. Christina Any final notes before we go? Warren I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be in Los Angeles in April. I'll be speaking at the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association in Nashville in June. I'll also be in Dallas and Knoxville in May. I will be speaking at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs in June, so I'll be doing reader lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs during that trip. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina And since we were talking about the Overhead Myth, it's probably worth mentioning again that you have written about our rating system, and that article might be helpful for those wanting to dig deeper into this issue. Warren That's right. I've written about the pros and cons of rating systems, and explained why – despite the cons – we think rating ministries is important. But how you do it matters. I'll have a link to an article explaining our rating system in today's show notes. Christina The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. You've been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

Matthew 27:1-56

In this episode, Ryan Burge and Sam examine newly released national survey data that reveal a significant shift in how young adults understand and report gender identity. Drawing on high-quality data from the Cooperative Election Study, the research shows a clear and statistically meaningful decline in the share of 18–22-year-olds identifying as transgender since 2020, with similar downward trends appearing across older age cohorts as well. The post The Burge Report: The Latest Data on Transgender Young Adults and the Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Special Guest: Morgan Burge.

Special Guest: Morgan Burge.

Special Guest: Morgan Burge.

Ollie, Ryman, Burge and Stevie talk about a home win against Exeter!

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.

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

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.

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 

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.

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.

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.