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

by Bob Smietana

Uncover the ways the Christian church has changed in recent years—from the decline of the mainline denominations to the mega-churchification of American culture to the rise of the Nones and Exvaneglicals—and a hopeful reimagining of what the church might look like going forward.

The United States is in the middle of an unprecedented spiritual, technological, demographic, political and social transformation— moving from an older, mostly white, mostly Protestant, religion-friendly society to a younger diverse, multiethnic, pluralistic culture, where no one faith group will have the advantage. At the same time, millions of Americans are abandoning organized religion altogether in favor of disorganized disbelief.

Reorganized Religion is an in-depth and critical look at why people are leaving American churches and what we lose as a society as it continues. But it also accepts the dismantling of what has come before and try to help readers reinvent the path forward. This book looks at the future of organized religion in America and outline the options facing churches and other faith groups. Will they retreat? Will they become irrelevant? Or will they find a new path forward?

Written by veteran religion reporter Bob Smietana, Reorganized Religion is a journalistic look at the state of the American church and its future. It draws on polling data, interviews with experts, and reporting on how faith communities old and new are coping with the changing religious landscape, along with personal stories about how faith is lived in everyday life. It also profiles faith communities and leaders who are finding interesting ways to reimagine what church might look like in the future and discuss various ways we can reinvent this organization so it survives and thrives. The book also reflects the hope that perhaps people of faith can learn to become, if not friends with the larger culture, then at least better neighbors.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Church, Audiobook, Faith

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2022

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written near the end of 2021, the book is still very much influenced by the effects of COVID-19. The author claims that COVID merely exacerbated the trends already happening in churches across America. And I tend to agree.

Smietana, as a journalist, tries to be unbiased, but he's clearly a leftist who hates Trump. While he rightfully criticizes Trump's immoral actions, he also fails to point out how this is a wider trend that's been happening for decades. Trump is just one among many politicians who kept their careers even after their scandals. Smietana also defines "wokeism" as "when those on the right think there's too much emphasis on social justice" which is a terrible definition.

See these similar books:
--The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going
--The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?
--The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism
--Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating overview of the current shifting sands of the religious landscape in the United States. Veteran religion reporter Bob Smietana combines demographic data, survey results, and numerous interviews with churchgoers and clergy to tell a story of what's going on in American churches these days, how and why the demographics are changing and people are leaving churches, and why the decline in organized religion will negatively impact our country's social fabric.

Anyone who's attended or stopped attending church in the last decades will probably nod in recognition at the stories of shrinking elderly congregations that have become inwardly focused and lose interest in outreach to their communities; exploding megachurches siphoning membership from smaller congregations; church communities becoming strongholds of cultural and political "mega-identity;" fights over Covid policies and racial justice movements; the loss of willing volunteers and erosion of social cohesion within congregations; conflicts over church culture and practice. If Smietana's research is any indication, it's not just your church. These same conflicts and shifts are happening all over.

One limitation is that this work largely focuses on the usual suspects in mainstream US religion reporting: white Protestant evangelicalism - mostly of the Baptist, Pentecostal, and nondenominational variety. Smietana includes a few interviews with mainline Protestants and mentions a rise in multiethnic congregations, but there's little to no mention of Catholicism, non-white denominations, or other church groups that tend to fall under the radar. That said, I found a lot of the themes here resonated within my own church tradition (Lutheran), even though we don't fall within the general scope of this book, so there is probably enough here to spark reflection and discussion within any faith tradition.

Perhaps most alarming is the warning of what happens as secularism takes over and "disorganized disbelief and isolated spirituality are on the rise." Smietana paints a bleak picture of a culture of individual practitioners whose spirituality does not lead to community, and who fill that social void with political action. Such loose institutional connections and preference for government solutions to social ills, he argues, cannot replace the current massive network of faith-based social programs, ranging from hospitals and disaster relief teams to food banks and refugee welcome programs.

Overall, an insightful book with lots to chew on. Highly recommend to believers and "nones" alike.

**I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Reorganized Religion, Bob Smietana explored the reasons why people are leaving churches and how this affecting us. He begins the book by looking at the criticism popular Christian, author and pastor, Beth Moore. In 2017-2020, Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries lost an estimated $3 million dollars. She was facing backlash from opposing Trump and his views. She also chose to leave her denomination. She still believes in Christ but wasn’t happy with all of the religious leaders and didn’t think they were following God’s call. He also explained the role of Russell Moore and his challenges with organized religion. He revealed many different studies in the book and some have discovered that white Americans are the most group leaving the church. He revealed how grandparents are still going to church regularly and we are witnessing a dramatic decline in the youth not attending church at all. He also looked at how the church makes a difference in the lives of others and they are mainly the ones behind food pantries and meal programs. If churches were to close who would help others. There is also a major decline in church attendance since Covid-19 and it’s estimated to be at one-third of people haven’t returned to the church and there is also a decrease in volunteers. Some of the members are watching online. He explained how many attended churches in habit then covid broke the habit and people haven’t been able to get back into the habit of going to church. He ended the book by sharing some views from others are considering to help change the future of the church.


I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is tired of the old religious systems and they are seeking a new approach to church. This book was very eye opening on understanding what the church is facing and how covid has changed the system and how we can move forward in the future. I honestly haven’t heard about either Beth Moore or Russell Moore and why they have stepped away from their denominations and all of the backlash they were facing. I loved how he treated the book as a reporter and he tried to stick with just sharing views from others and studies to allow readers the freedom to decide for themselves.




"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed hearing Smietana talk about his observations on the podcast Adventist Voices and was excited to read this book. It didn’t disappoint. Smietana combines his observations about the implosion of megachurch evangelicalism over the last 8-10 years with a journalist’s eye for what is working in Christianity in the USA. He includes some sociology and theory about civil society along with a sympathetic view of the role of organized religion in our communities. I could have done with fewer illustrations and more argument, but I’m already deeply embedded in this story with my own commitments, experiences, and observations. It’s encouraging to think about the important role that can be played by churches of 100-200 and the way that those midsized churches can hold spiritual leaders accountable and possibly avoid some of the most egregious abuses we have seen. Smietana argues that megachurch structure undermines participation (and therefore the good provided by church organization) and also contributes to too much unaccountable power being concentrated in the hands of charismatic lead pastors. Smaller churches can form correctives to this.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amid dire predictions, the author points out that the mainline Protestant denominations are aging and losing ground to the younger, more populous “Nones,” and that by the 2060’s less than 50% of America will be white Protestants … He outlines the problems with a series of short, real-life stories of churches and church-goers on the brink of disaster … Fortunately, his last three chapters, “Where Do We Go From Here?,” addresses the problems with hope and potential solutions … thought-provoking …

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a group of friends we gather regularly with -- children run rampant, food is shared, and we attempt to work through a book and find meaningful discussion and insights in the midst of the activity.

This was our fall selection; in a season that feels tumultuous, it was helpful to read this journalist's account of changes in religion and culture and be reminded this is not the first time faith communities have faced a wilderness.

[John Frias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smietana focuses on the people of religious movements. COVID and politics have forever changed how we look at spiritual communities. This reorganization has catered to a new generation who is less curious about religion and neglected older communities who grew up in them.

The big idea: Spiritual communities provide hope and accountability. Without such organizations, those values will decline.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby stepping my way into some things. This was a lightweight start.

Concerning on a whole lot of levels but also wholesale expected.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalistic overview with lots of interviews and stories. Nothing deep, nothing controversial.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the conversational tone the author uses in Reorganized Religion. The narrative doesn’t come across preachy, starchy, or heavy. Just a friend, spilling experiences and advice over a cup of coffee.

The introduction pulled me in immediately. It fit a situation in my current life so well that I couldn’t ignore it. The advice the author received from a friend rang true and I wanted to read more. So, I did. And I was hooked.

The book focuses on the organized church, or the un-structuring of it in a sense, but it also reveals so much about us as people, as a society of believers, that I pause at the relevance it shouts out. Things are changing. And we, the church, need a desire to plan a new path for the future.

I like how the author describes America’s changing religious landscape. I love the developing, positive, and hope-filled look at faith and community in a world of change. This is an inspiring read.

First Line (Introduction): Not long into my career as a journalist, a friend passed on a piece of advice: It’s time to leave when you stop believing the lies they tell you.
Genre: Christian Growth, Non-fiction

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Orpheus Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

the writing style of this irritated me sometimes - he's very clearly a reporter - but it had some very interesting anecdotes and raised some points i hadn't considered so it balances out i think

[Becca]

Should have been titled "Reorganized Christianity." I have other thoughts but I'm not gonna try to type it on my phone right now. We'll see if I remember to come back later.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the past decades, millions of Americans have left their churches, disappointed. While most Americans still believe in God, fewer and fewer are participating in organized Christianity. (170/3490) Smietana knows the world without organized religion would not be a better place. His book is one that suggests organized religion can continue to exist, though in a reorganized manner.

Smietana has divided his book into three informative sections. First, he looks at where organized religion is today, its decline. Next, he takes a deep look into why people are leaving, often relating personal stories. Finally, he relates stories of churches who have adapted to the changing religious landscape. Business as usual for the organized church will no longer work. White churches will need to be more diverse to be sustainable in the future, for example. (1920/3490) Some churches may need to merge.

Smietana concludes his book by reminding church leaders of decisions that will need to be made. Will a church seek serving the community or will it seek power in that community, for example. Things cannot continue the way they are. Churches will need to seriously think about survival and the work it will take to accomplish it.

I highly recommend this book. I think every pastor and church leader serious about the survival of their church would do well to read it.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book based on the topic.
Smietana is an award-winning reporter who covers religion all across the United States, along with many articles written in various magazines. He investigates through interviews and polls, why there are some churches with members leaving, while others have survived after COVID and the shutdowns it created. He also looks at several pastors' opinions on how the churches should go in the future, along with interviewing church members on why they left past churches or their last one.
The book looks at the Nones, and Dones (people who have left churches) with interviews with members who exited churches, along with political reasons. However the book tend to point the finger mostly at Donald Trump as a reason many left the church , along with social issues- where some left because the church wasn't dealing with them but others left because of the preacher's stands.
The book left me more confused than educated on why people were leaving.
For an in-depth review, visit my blog at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great challenges of aging is the constant need for re-calibration. We might feel as if we are the same or are progressing in a “normal” fashion, but people and times are changing. We might think of a person as a child when, in fact, they were a child over a decade ago, and have now become a young adult. We might still be convinced the 1990s were only a decade ago, not three. Mentally we might feel like we are in our twenties; everyone else knows better. No, X+10 decade is not the new X decade; we just resist the re-calibration. It’s disturbing on many levels.

If re-calibration is difficult for us in our individual lives, it proves all the more difficult in terms of the Christian faith. Most people would consider the Christian faith as something which would not change that much, and that was probably true a few generations ago.

Yet, as is well exhibited in Bob Smietana’s Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the Church and Why It Matters, churches and the expression of the Christian faith have transformed significantly throughout the 21st century, and all the more so even in the past decade.

First and foremost: fellow Christians, it is beyond past time to re-calibrate again. It is understandable why many would continue to look at themselves, ways to engage the world, and the world as they did twenty, thirty, or more years ago. A lot of resources written regarding reaching the “unchurched” are still out there; in particular I have in mind the series of books written by Thom Rainer in the late aughts and early 2010s. Even these works have become dated based on the accelerated rate of change in socio-cultural beliefs and values about Christianity since 2015.

Smietana is a reporter with Religion News Service; this work lays out his own personal story, many of his experiences in reporting about Christianity, and examination of recent statistics about Christian faith and practice.

The story, as noted, is the acceleration of existing trends based on the experiences of the past decade. The number of “nones,” those who do not claim any particular religion, has increased significantly at the detriment of professions of Christian faith. “Mid-sized” churches are becoming more and more rare: churches tend to either be small or quite large; churches are averaging under 100 members/attendees while the “average Christian” assembles with a church of many hundreds, exemplifying that trend. Smietana speaks straight regarding the heritage of many churches as white Evangelical and Protestant groups, and the United States of America is becoming much less white and less tolerant of all-white spaces; it takes special effort to cultivate and develop a multi-ethnic and multi-racial congregational environment, and it cannot feature culturally white Christianity as utterly dominant because it was dominant in the past.

Smietana laments the current situation, for a lot of people would not seem to notice if local churches become rarer, yet they have remained critical and crucial vehicles of providing resources and support for the disadvantaged and under-served in many communities, making the world “less awful.” He compares churches to the small town gas station: rarely used, yet when needed, quite important for people. The assumption exists the gas station will always be there; but what if it isn’t?

Smietana explores reasons why participation in churches is in decline. He speaks of cultural attitudes which have become less favorable for churches and Christian faith: people do not hold Christianity and churches in the kind of esteem and honor as their grandparents and previous generations did. At the same time churches have tended to turn inward and insular, rallying and speaking to “the base” in ways which alienate those who are not part of said “base.” And then there’s the politicization of Christian faith and the greater prominence of Christian nationalism. Such proves repellent to the world and leads many who were raised in the church and with Christian faith to be disillusioned.

Smietana considers the way forward. There still does remain a desire and impulse to gather together and to share life with others. Churches might have to get creative in order to survive; the way forward might involve merging with other groups or welcoming groups of refugees or others. Smietana compares and contrasts the fate of two Seattle churches: Interbay Covenant Church, which merged with and was absorbed by Quest Church, and Mars Hill and the whole Mark Driscoll debacle. The story has a sublime irony: the great meeting place of Mars Hill becomes the new meeting place of Quest Church, a group far more reflective of Seattle than Mars Hill ever could be. In the end, we need to work well together to be the church for which we might hope. It may not look exactly like what we might have imagined, but God can still be glorified in it.

There are challenges in all of these trends which Smietana identifies, and plenty of room for doctrinal and theological disagreements about various practices and ways forward. Nevertheless, it is important for us to be like those of Issachar who understand the times and know what the people of God should do (cf. 1 Chronicles 12:32): we have to understand the posture of those around us so we can best understand how to embody Jesus before them.

Reorganized Religion can be a helpful guide to assist with this re-calibration; a time will come, perhaps soon, when it will also cease to be as relevant like the guides to previous times, and we will have to re-calibrate again. Only when the Lord returns and we share in the resurrection will we get to cease this kind of re-calibration and share in life with Him forever.

[Melinda Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways, this is yet another book on how the church must change or die. However, it has a more hopeful outlook: the institution must change, but there are congregations already embracing transformation. The successful ones are intentionally multicultural and decreasingly led by white men, they are inclusive of all people while rooted in the Gospel message, and are tangibly relating to people's lives and working for good in the world.

For me, the first three chapters were the least interesting, about the current challenges churches face. Many of us know these issues intimately. The second part, beginning with chapter four, speaks the harsh truth of why people are leaving and where the institution has dug in its heels, and was much more interesting.

The last part really does give some hope--people are still searching for spiritual community, and some churches are creating new, intentionally inclusive spiritual space and community. We in the church in general haven't figured out how to get through this period of the end of the institution as we have known it, but perhaps it will be a long process for us, even while some of our congregations will embrace transformation much quicker. Overall, a solid, quick read.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's very good for the most part. It explains why organized religion is losing people and it shows ways of reversing that. However, it barely touches on the reasons people leave. It mentions them, but goes in to almost no detail yet when discussing churches of him being on a plane he goes into great detail. One of the things left out that's very important is what the church is teaching. I'm a Done (Done with the church, but not my faith). I believe like the millions of other Dones, that I left to follow Jesus. Following the teaching of Jesus and transforming into being Christlike in this life, is the reason for becoming a Christian. The last church I was in do so in so many ways, but I burned out. Since I spend more time studying and learning about God, Christianity, talking with other Dones, living out the things Jesus taught. Things I never learned or the church did not do in the first 25 years I attended church (as an evangelical) and from what I see, they still don't. This really was addressed in this book. Still, it is a good read for all Christians.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Smietana's reporting and wanted to like this book more than I did. It avoids the pitfalls most of these "people are leaving the church and this is why" books fall into, but it has problems of its own. The book is conversational and does a great job of sharing a wide variety of people's stories. It does its best to keep a reporter's neutrality. This is helpful but it ends up holding the book back. I don't understand how you can argue a way forward for churches when you don't explain any of the religious convictions that you have.

I did appreciate the book's hopeful tone. Most books like this are pessimistic about how everything will end. This one firmly believes that organized religion is a good thing and that churches will continue to exist and thrive.

Those who want to read some good stories about how the churches have changed will enjoy the book. Those hoping for answers on what to do next might be more disappointed.

[Aileen Gronewold · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a religion reporter, Bob Smietana has a front row seat to observe the American church. Statistics paint a picture of religion in decline in our culture, with the segment known as “nones” (no religious affiliation) growing every year. He examines the reasons people are leaving the church — demographic changes, political divisions, changing sexual mores, Covid-19 disruption — but also highlights how some churches are adapting and thriving in the shifting landscape. Bob maintains a reporter’s dispassionate distance for much of the book, but he breaks into personal narrative to reveal how the church saved his life. The subject is personal for him, as it is for me. He makes a compelling case for why the church matters and what the future may hold for religion in America.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In some ways, the infrastructure of religion matters more than the spiritual part." (p. 45) I have thought this for a long time -- that religion creates a community of people with shared values and commitments. Smietana is talking in this chapter about the way in which religious institutions serve their communities -- through food and clothing banks, disaster relief, homeless shelters. What happens as more and more people declare themselves "Nones" or "Dones"?

Smietana is a journalist and describes the contemporary religious scene in the US. He does not offer much advice about how religious institutions can remain relevant or how they can or should stay alive.

[Edward Ballard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book three stars because it does contain some good points, but I just can’t. He makes it all political. And to be sure, he states outright that his book is not about theology, but a book about Christian religion that has more quotes from atheists, other religion’s leaders, and LGBT “pastors” then it does Bible quotes is wholly insufficient tot tackle this subject. So one star for the smidgen of good content, and another because from a strictly grammatical point of view it was well written.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting conversation about organized religion - primarily Christian churches. It gives some sense of history, thoughtful discussion about the purpose of churches in our society, and insights as to what the future might hold. It is not a recipe book for revitalizing a congregation, but could inspire some great discussion and thought on that topic.

I was fortunate to hear the author discuss the book in person. He was extremely interesting.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and hopeful book on the future of Christianity. Thoroughly and thoughtfully researched by a veteran religion journalist, this book both points out the problems facing churches in the current environment and also points to possible paths to renewal.

For my Tennessee friends, a number of "scenes" chronicled by this author are set in East and Middle Tennessee. The last few pages are set in Tennessee and are beautifully written.

[Richard Maddox]

An excellent and frank overview of the challenges and status of today's organized religions and institutions. Smietana's perspectives based on years of experience as a religion reporter are insightful, bold, and frank. No one who reads this book will be able to escape one of its fundamental principles: to continue practicing faith in the manner and methods of the past will bring the demise of religions and their institutions.

[John Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very readable mix of statistics and anecdotes making the case that local churches play an irreplaceable role in American society, that engagement therein is declining, and that the institutions must change in order to survive. None of his arguments are unfamiliar, and he offers nothing to help clergy navigating churches in such transition, but this would be an excellent introduction for laypeople struggling to recognize the world they're living in.

[Kelsey Philippe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded down. When politics meet religion we are lead to an interesting discourse on the value of religion in a church and state separated society. Overall, the concepts in the book had me considering the socio-economic and multicultural demographics of my own life and asking myself how religion plays a role in a continuous aging population around me. A good nonfiction read!

[MG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised how profound this book proved to be, revealing how much is lost when churches disappear. Smietana argues that the loss of Christian belief is not just an intellectual issue but a political and sociological one as well, since churches provide an infrastructure of care and organization that communities dearly need.

[Devon Neisen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think book gives words to a generation of people who want to love God and have a community but find it hard to trust how political going to a church has become since 2016.

Would suggest to anyone deconstructing their faith, especially since it had such a big focus on the need for community and churches.

[John Haydon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very interesting facts and data by Smietana, however he will lose a lot of his audience with his obvious digs at conservatives and his fondness for quoting liberals and progressives and their stories. If he had kept his political leanings to himself this book would have been a much worthy read.

[David Blankenship · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an extended series of reported stories about how a. The church in America is facing difficult times and b. There can be hope for the church if it will learn to adapt to the new world we live in. While it was OK, I didn't feel as if it had anything really helpful for churches and church leaders. It was simply a mirror for what we are dealing with.