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Chronicling and Shepherding Religious Decline: One Pastor’s Story (#2139)
In recent years Ryan Burge has increasingly become known as the guy who effectively communicates the story of religious decline in America through accessible articles filled with charts and graphs. He...
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Turning Your Vehicle Into a Religious Billboard (#2162)
It happened to me again last week. I found myself behind a vehicle with a religious message I couldn’t help but notice. Honda Accord with Religious Message (photo by Greg Smith) For whatever reason,...
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Giving Thanks – Top 10 Experiences in 2024 (#2168)
Welcome to the month of giving thanks, a month that includes the Thanksgiving holiday. In recent years (2023, 2022 2021), I’ve taken time in early November to reflect on all of the life experiences I...
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2024 in Exactly 100 Words (#2173)
After sending Christmas letters back in the era when postal mail was just called mail, I shifted that annual correspondence online many years ago. In 2016 I condensed it to 100 words recognizing that...
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Surprise! Almost Everyone Goes to Church (#2193)
Unlike most data about church attendance that relies on self-reported responses to survey questions, a new working paper by Devin G. Pope relies on cell phone data. And, amazingly, finds that “73% of...
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My Action Figure (#2217)
The last few weeks I’ve seen a number of people posting pictures of personalized action figures still in their packaging. These have been appearing on my Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads feeds...
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Are You Part of the 42%? (#2223)
When I ask people to guess what percentage of the American population is made up of white Christians, their answers typically range from just over half to nearly the entire population. And, if they...
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Fewer Master of Divinity Students (#2227)
In the years since I graduated from seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2001 much has changed. The overall landscape of theological education has shifted. While the Master of Divinity degree...
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Going Electric! (#2229)
Every vehicle I have ever owned was gas-powered until now! Beginning to Change In 2019 and in 2021 I purchased hybrid SUVs made by Toyota and Honda respectively. This enabled me to own and operate more...
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Celebrating Personal and Professional Milestones (#2237)
During the final two weeks of June, I am celebrating three significant milestones: 48th birthday 4 years at White Rock Center of Hope 1 year at Advent Lutheran Church Birthday The only time I...
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