(RNS) — Faith communities have long been places where people with different perspectives gathered and built relationships. But today, many find those spaces look different.
Social scientist Ryan Burge, whose research examines how polarization intersects with American religious life, spoke at an RNS virtual event this week to share his insights about what polarization means for congregations, community life and the country’s civic landscape. His new book, “The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us,” examines how political polarization has changed congregational life over the past several decades.
Burge was interviewed by Adelle M. Banks, RNS projects editor and national reporter, and he took audience questions from Niala Boodhoo, RNS live events host. The transcript was edited for clarity.
ADELLE M. BANKS: Ryan, you dedicate your book, “The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Modern Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith and Us,” in part to “the faithful few” of First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, Illinois. What did that church, which was long affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, and whose closure you had to oversee, teach you firsthand about what you call the vanishing church?
RYAN BURGE: My life has always been bifurcated between my personal being as a pastor, and then my public-facing work doing the data. One reinforces the other, one teaches me about the other. I always won …