Church and Main

If you are part of a mainline Protestant denomination, you know that decline has been part of the story for over 50 years. And yet, at times people act like this isn’t a problem. Why is that? Why can’t we admit there is a problem and then come up with solutions that can help struggling congregations?In this episode, I chat with Episcopal priest Ben Crosby. We talk about the article he wrote on his Substack about church decline. Ben is currently a Ph.D. student at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in Canada where he is also the Honorary Associate Priest at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal.On why church decline conversations are so frustrating- by Ben CrosbyLunging, Flailing, Mispunching- by Terry Eagleton (Ben talked about this article in the interview)Will the ELCA be Gone in 30 Years?- by Dwight ZscheileOn MAID and the Canadian Church- by Ben Crosby (an article about the Canadian mainline church and Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying law)Ben’s TwitterChurch and Main is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thank you for reading Church and Main. This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Church and Main at churchandmain.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes

If you are part of a mainline Protestant denomination, you know that decline has been part of the story for over 50 years. And yet, at times people act like this isn’t a problem. Why is that? Why can’t we admit there is a problem and then come up with solutions that can help struggling congregations?

In this episode, I chat with Episcopal priest Ben Crosby. We talk about the article he wrote on his Substack about church decline. Ben is currently a Ph.D. student at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in Canada where he is also the Honorary Associate Priest at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal.

On why church decline conversations are so frustrating- by Ben Crosby

Lunging, Flailing, Mispunching- by Terry Eagleton (Ben talked about this article in the interview)

Will the ELCA be Gone in 30 Years?- by Dwight Zscheile

On MAID and the Canadian Church- by Ben Crosby (an article about the Canadian mainline church and Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying law)

Ben’s Twitter

Church and Main is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Thank you for reading Church and Main. This post is public so feel free to share it.



Get full access to Church and Main at churchandmain.substack.com/subscribe

What is Church and Main?

Church and Main is a podcast at the intersection of faith and modern life. Join Pastor Dennis Sanders as he shares the stories of faith interacting with the ever-changing world of the 21st century.