crisis in the churches, The
Book Description
American churches face a paradox that strikes at the heart of spiritual community. While clergy are increasingly called upon to serve society's most vulnerable populations, congregations struggle with declining donations, reduced volunteer participation, and growing financial pressures. Sociologist Robert Wuthnow examines this troubling disconnect between spiritual calling and practical reality.
Through extensive interviews with clergy and congregation members across sixty Protestant and Catholic churches, Wuthnow reveals a deeper issue beneath the surface statistics. Many parishioners feel disconnected from their faith communities, sensing that their weekday lives and work concerns remain invisible to church leadership. The result creates a cycle where members feel spiritually unfulfilled while churches continuously appeal for greater financial support.
Drawing from over two hundred sermons, financial records, and national survey data, Wuthnow demonstrates how churches often fail to address the fundamental connections between faith and daily economic life. Topics like work satisfaction, financial stewardship, and economic justice rarely receive meaningful attention from the pulpit.
Yet this comprehensive study also illuminates pathways toward renewal. Some congregations have discovered that honest, concrete discussions about money, work, and giving can actually strengthen spiritual bonds. Small group ministries focused on integrating faith with financial decisions show particular promise for rebuilding authentic community engagement.
This analysis offers both sobering insights and practical hope for anyone concerned about the future vitality of American religious life.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 291 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Kerkgenootschappen
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Kirchengliedschaft
- ✓ Explore Kirche
- ✓ Explore Financiën
- ✓ Explore Finanzwirtschaft
- ✓ Explore Church finance
