The Potluck: Why start a podcast about dying churches?
with Matt McGee and Michael Lomuscio
In this special "Potluck" episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt McGee is interviewed by his friend Michael Lomuscio about the origins of the podcast, the declining state of church attendance and membership, and what constitutes a good or bad church closing.
Key Topics:
Matt's background and what sparked his interest in researching closing churches
Statistics on dropping church membership and attendance rates in the United States
The possibility that more churches in America closed than opened in 2019 for the first time
The rise of the "nones" - those with no religious affiliation
Economic factors like deferred maintenance costs contributing to church closures
Examples of good vs. bad ways for a church to close down
Continuing the gospel mission vs. hoarding resources with no community impact
Resources:
Reorganized Religion by Bob Smietana
Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition
