Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why It Matters

A Book Overview by George Bullard

(Find this book on Amazon HERE.)

When you see a book by a person like Bob Smietana who throughout his life on the “Godbeat” writes on the world of religion – especially from a Christian perspective, who works for various organizations that give him access to the inner workings of organized religion, who interviews congregational leaders, and denominational and parachurch leaders from multiple faith perspectives, then you must read his book.

Agreeing with him on every aspect of the book, deciding you like his perspective, determining that in your eyes his theology is correct, seeing his insights into leaders, congregations, and denominations in the same way you do, and affirming his prognostications become irrelevant to your need to read and listen to what Smietana says.

Further, you need to do this if you passionately believe we need to take an in-depth look at how religion is organized in North America and rethink our core strategic and day-to-day practices. Organized Christianity is declining. If you do not believe this is true, then you have not read the Pew Research Center’s report Modeling the Future of Religion in America. This research, however, is a subject for another day.

Smietana tells us in his introduction that this book is “about organized religion: why it matters, why it is in trouble, and why the decline of organized religion—in particular, Christian churches in the United States—will affect us all, no matter who we are or what we believe. It’s also a book about why organized religion can and should be saved—and what it might cost for that to happen.” (xvi)

In Reorganized Religion, Smietana says some extremely important things we need to hear, ponder, and act on. Space does not allow the mention of all of them. The ones I mention I have paraphrased. Here are a few examples with my comments:

First, organized religion is worth saving (xviii). I would only twist that thought slightly to say that if we try to save the organized religion of the last 60 years, we will lose it. We must move forward to the next understanding of organized religion.

Second, we know only what people willingly tell us about their religious habits and practices (7). This may be the biggest challenge for any of us who say that organized religion is diminishing. Denominational counting systems from affiliated congregations are losing their effectiveness in obtaining real numbers. The undercount is significant.

The number of people in the nondenominational world appears to be growing significantly. In these congregations, membership is not nearly as important as in established denominations.

Even when answering generic surveys many people may not report they are members or regular attendees of a congregation. Belonging is not what it once was.

In research that focuses on individual responses, people lie. It is hard to get a fully representative sample. Even the categories or language of surveys cause people to answer in a wide variety of ways.

Third, the world Christian churches served in the past no longer exists (13). Demographically North America is a different continent than it was 60 years ago. The world has changed so much that many churches need a do-over, and they are unwilling to do-over.

Fourth, churches are important as the basic units of organized religion, and a world without organized religion is not a better place. (40) Congregations will continue to diversify in form, function, style, and missional engagement. We need all they have to offer that is loving and just.

Fifth, we have only complicated answers to why organized religion is on the decline due to external and internal pressures. (65-66) I, George Bullard, stopped when reading this, and started making a list of reasons. I listed 40. But there are more.

Sixth, finding the right type of leadership is continually tougher. Trust must be sought by leaders rather than power. (96) Too many leaders believe it is all about them. Pastors of significantly growing churches may be blinded by their own hubris.

Seventh, congregations are dying faster than new congregations are being started. (117) The church planting boom of the post-World War II era played out in the 1960s and many denominations never successfully restarted and sustained these efforts. Parachurch movements of church planting have been spotty and not comprehensive.

Eighth, in too many denominational movements – even among evangelicals – the status is quo. (135) So many denominations and even parachurch movements like their identity. So do their congregations. Change is elusive – especially when they want change without changes.

Ninth, projecting what the Pew Research study reveals, Smietana shares that as organized religion declines, people become less religious and connected. (149) Which comes first? Likely it is some of both.

Tenth, creating and sustaining genuine community is of high importance. (158) This is particularly true in a socially and politically polarized environment. The desire to be with our kind of people – especially politically – is in a crescendo. Pockets of diversity are a thing of great beauty but exist in too few places.

Eleventh, “free-ride” large congregations allow for the greater development of casual Christianity. (179) It is easy to hide or be selective in the depth and breadth of participation in congregations of more than 800 in attendance.

People who connect with these congregations create and perpetuate a culture of CEO Christians – Christmas, Easter, Other. What will the next generation of their families look like in their organized religion participation?

Twelfth, is one I love. Smietana references an idea for a church called “Becoming 7” which talks about the diversity of God’s Kingdom expressed in Revelation 7:9-10. (206) This is a wonderful thing to imagine. It would transform organized religion. I could wish it would happen.

In this book readers will learn so much from Smietana’s stories of people and congregations. In many of these are great signs of hope.

I say this also feeling that part three of the book on where we go from here needs more in-depth and clearer strategies. Ones that can empower a new sustainable Christian movement. I will work on this.

My five decades as a researcher, consultant, and writer leads me to have a different perspective on Dean M. Kelley’s book Why Conservative Churches Are Growing (28). Also, on how Jim Collins has spoken into the Christian Church from a non-Christian platform (98).

I love his references to the work of Ryan Burge, Scott Thumma, Mark Chaves, Josh Packard, and Wes Granberg-Michaelson. Even to our unnamed mutual friend on page vii at the beginning of the Introduction.  

You must read the quote from Tony Campolo on page 133! We all need a great laugh that helps us stay humble.