Christina

Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast.

In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.”

So, Warren, what’s up first?

Warren

Do non-profits contribute to the decline of cities?

Aaron Renn, whose ideas I usually find nourishing, asked that question and came up with what I think is the wrong answer.

Christina

He said they did.

Warren

That’s right, but I think this is one of the rare times his analysis is flawed.

He has an analysis of leadership development in Indianapolis and has (tentatively) concluded that the rise of non-profits could be contributing to the decline of American cities.

I recommend his analysis to you, even though I find it flawed in a number of ways. He is right to note that the number of non-profits has grown dramatically in the past few decades.

Christina

There are about 2 million non-profits in the country today, a huge increase in just the past decade.

Warren

That’s right. And it’s also true that many cities have non-profit leadership and “economic development” programs.

But the analysis fails to note that most American cities have seen a remarkable revitalization over that period. The real crisis in America today is not the decline of cities, but the decline of small towns and the hollowing out of rural America as young people move into the cities that Renn says are in decline. Non-profits are not the problem. Renn, a clear thinker, has nonetheless in this case confused correlation with causation. One of the reasons for the growth of non-profits is their effectiveness in providing solutions to the problems Renn rightly identifies.

Christina

We’ve got links to Renn’s study and other resources that might help with this issue in today’s show notes.

Warren, you took a look at artificial intelligence this week. What did you learn?

Warren

 A new study by Tufts University has identified which cities will be most affected by the growth of artificial intelligence. Not surprisingly, San Jose, Calif., home of Silicon Valley, will see the greatest impact. Washington, D.C., comes in at Number 2.

Christina

You can see the complete study in the show notes. But what does this have to do with ministries, and stewardship?

Warren

Fundraising executives and program managers – which includes a lot of non-profit jobs — are among the jobs to be most affected by the growth of AI.

And, by the way, the job expected to be impacted the most, Christina, is journalism. So buckle up!

Christina

The Washington Post had a provocative article about growth in the Catholic Church, but you found the article to be wanting.

Warren

I did.

The Washington Post headline proclaimed it knew “Why Catholicism is drawing in Gen Z men.” The answer: “Young men in their 20s and 30s are increasingly drawn to the Catholic Church as they seek truth, beauty and, yes, girlfriends.”

The only problem: It is not true. At least not true generally. Ryan Burge, who tracks religion statistics, says that the Catholic Church is in decline. Further, weekly church attendance among practicing Catholics is in freefall. According to Burge, “There’s absolutely an uptick in new converts in the last few years. [But] even after these increases, the overall numbers are still significantly down from 2000.” To add insult to injury, more Catholics are becoming evangelicals than vice versa. The Washington Post article has seen a few anecdotes and confused them with data.

Christina

But the article noted that one Catholic diocese in Ohio had grown by 2000 people. That sounds like growth.

Warren

It does, but Burge noted that a single protestant megachurch in Ohio had grown by 2000 people. And not just one, but two churches. So it’s important to put that growth in context.

Christina

While we’re fact checking and myth busting this week, you have another myth to deconstruct.

Warren

It’s what I call the “Overhead Myth.” That’s the idea that non-profits should have as little overhead as possible.

Christina

What’s wrong with trying to reduce overhead expenses?

Warren

Nothing…within reason.

An interesting article at Candid (Guidestar) asserts that “every business pays for overhead, like salaries, rent, and technology, but this doesn’t solely determine whether they are seen as successful.” The article asks, “So why are nonprofits judged differently?” It goes on to say, “The overhead myth states that organizations that spend less on overhead are more effective. But this thinking puts nonprofits at a disadvantage.” The article has a point. The bigger issue is not reducing overhead to zero, but being accountable, transparent, and efficient. I recommend all donors and ministry leaders read this article, which you can find in today’s show notes.

Christina

Finally, Warren, I know a lot of our listeners have been following the Artemis moon mission. There’s a faith angle to this story.

Warren

My friend Bobby Ross, Jr., has written a great article about Victor Glover, the pilot of the Artemis II ship currently coming home from the moon. Glover is active in Southeast Church of Christ in the Houston suburb of Friendswood, Texas. His elder flew to Florida to witness the liftoff of the Artemis mission. To read a 2021 interview with Glover in which he discusses his faith, and taking communion in space, again, go to day’s show notes.

Christina

Any final notes before we go?

Warren

I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be in Los Angeles in April. I’ll be speaking at the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association in Nashville in June. I’ll also be in Dallas and Knoxville in May. I will be speaking at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs in June, so I’ll be doing reader lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs during that trip. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is [email protected].

Christina

And since we were talking about the Overhead Myth, it’s probably worth mentioning again that you have written about our rating system, and that article might be helpful for those wanting to dig deeper into this issue.

Warren

That’s right. I’ve written about the pros and cons of rating systems, and explained why – despite the cons – we think rating ministries is important. But how you do it matters. I’ll have a link to an article explaining our rating system in today’s show notes.

Christina

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.

Until next time, may God bless you.

Here at MinistryWatch, I read a lot of books about money, stewardship, philanthropy, and related topics. That’s probably not a surprise. After all, that’s what we do here. These topics are our “beat.”

But I don’t often run across a book like John Coleman’s new book Good Money: Six Steps to Building a Financial Life with Purpose. I can honestly say that this is the best book I’ve read on this topic in a very long time. That’s why I’m excited to have John on the program today.

What makes this book different is that it starts by talking about such ideas as purpose, calling, happiness, and flourishing – both individual flourishing and human flourishing generally. How can money, and our approach to money, contribute to what God is doing in the world? Along the way, John takes a hard look at work and retirement. Why do we work, and is retirement even a biblical category? We’ll discuss these questions and more in today’s podcast.

John Coleman is an investor, writer, and speaker. He is the co-CEO of Sovereign’s Capital, which invests in public equities, private equity, and venture capital. He has prior experience at McKinsey & Company, Invesco, and Bridgewater Associates.

As I mentioned in today’s program, we are offering John’s book Good Money as our thank you gift for the month of April. If you’d like to receive your own copy so you can explore the ideas we discussed today more deeply, just go to MinistryWatch.com and hit the DONATE button at the top of the page.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Warren Smith.

Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Robert Morris is released from jail after serving 6 months behind bars. The former megachurch pastor released a statement apologizing to Cindy Clemishire, who he abused when she was just 12 years old. We’ll take a look.

And, a Christian school teacher has been charged for using AI to create child sexual abuse materials using the faces of his students. We look at steps parents can take to protect their children.

Plus, red kettle rebound. The Salvation Army released numbers from the 2025 holiday season, and they showed an uptick in both in-person and online donations.

But first, the Presbyterian Church in America is speaking out in defense of Stephen Nichols after St. Andrew’s Chapel publicly excommunicated him.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Bob Smeitana, Tony Mator, and Jessica Eturralde.

A special thanks to The Nonprofit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.

Until next time, may God bless you.

Christina

Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. 

In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” 

So, Warren, what’s up first?

Warren

Military chaplains will no longer indicate their rank on their uniforms, according to a new order from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegspeth. People I’ve talked with tell me they generally think that’s a good thing. Enlisted personnel might be intimidated to talk with chaplains about deeply personal issues if they know that chaplain is a senior officer. Progressive groups opposing the move include Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

Christina

Up next, a new study by Pew found that nearly 98 percent of U.S. adults live within range of at least one religious radio station.

Warren

And that about 25 percent of all AM/FM stations are dedicated to religious programming. 

The U.S. has about 4,000 religious stations and about half of American adults spend at least some time each week listening to religious audio content, including radio, podcasts, and streaming, and – this is one of the most interesting findings – about 39 percent of listeners are non-Christians.

Christina

I guess it’s a good thing that non-Christians are listening to Christian programming.

Warren

It is good, but there is also another side to that coin. A lot of Christian radio stations have started programing for that non-Christian audience. You’ll hear branding like “Safe for the Entire Family” rather than distinctly Christian branding and programming. Some people think this trend has watered down Christian radio. Christian writer David Murrow says “Safe for the Entire Family” has made Christian radio boring and risk-free. He advocates for edgier music on music stations, and more teaching and talk. 

Christina

While we’re on the subject of media, a new movie out now is getting a lot of buzz from Christian commentators – and it’s not a Christian movie.

Warren

I haven’t seen the new Ryan Gosling movie Project Hail Mary, but people I respect are giving it great reviews. 

Aaron Renn says, “In an era of male loneliness and confusing messages about manhood, Project Hail Mary models problem-solving, purpose, and fatherly strength without apology.” Brett McCracken, writing for The Gospel Coalition, says it offers the “good, clean fun moviegoers have missed.” McCracken concludes, “Project Hail Mary doesn’t preach the gospel. But it makes virtue look good. It makes selflessness, sacrifice, and duty attractive. If the movie is a huge hit—and I expect it will be—perhaps Hollywood will take the hint. We’re not in postmodernism anymore. Goodness, truth, and beauty are attributes we want in art again. Really, they’re what we’ve always wanted.”

Christina

Is the movie a hit?

Warren

It is. The movie opened at number 1 in the U.S. and held that position through its second week. So far, worldwide box office is around $300 million. That’s a huge hit by any reasonable standard.

Christina

Warren, you read an article this week that caught your attention.

Warren

I commend to you an article by my friends John Stonestreet and Tim Padgett of The Colson Center. I’ll link to it in the show notes. They share the hard truth that neither political party has a right to the pro-life label these days. Of the Democrats they say, abortion is not merely a plank in the progressive party’s platform. It is the chief commitment of the worldview that dominates America. It is, for many, a sacrament to recognize, enshrine, and honor autonomy. Abortion is not merely a legal right of a decadent society. It is a rite of worship, specifically a way to worship the idols of self, state, and sex.” 

Christina

But they don’t let the Republicans off the hook, either. 

Warren

They write, “The GOP was once a prolife party, but now openly endorses chemical abortion and unregulated IVF, the two most common ways to kill preborn children in America.” They conclude, “There is no such thing as a Christian not called, to some degree, to oppose abortion and defend preborn lives. We need not attend every march or express every outrage. We must, however, protect every vulnerable life, support every vulnerable mother and father, and advance the Christian understanding of human dignity every chance we are given.”

Christina

Our final story today is about the ministry rating systems. An organization called Charity Watch wrote an article that found fault with Charity Navigator’s rating system.

Warren

Charity Watch found fault with the 4-Star rating that Charity Navigator gave to OUR Rescue, formerly Operation Underground Railroad. I won’t get into the weeds of their analysis here except to say that Charity Watch is right. OUR Rescue should not have a 4-Star rating. 

Christina

That’s why MinistryWatch gives OUR Rescue a 1-Star rating, our lowest score for financial efficiency. 

Warren

That’s right. I’ve written about the pros and cons of rating systems, and explained why – despite the cons – we think rating ministries is important. But how you do it matters. I’ll have a link to an article explaining our rating system in today’s show notes.

Christina

Any final notes before we go?

Warren

I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be in Los Angeles in April. I’ll be speaking at the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association in Nashville in June. I’ll also be in Dallas and Knoxville in May. I will be speaking at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs in June, so I’ll be doing reader lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs during that trip. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is [email protected].

Christina

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. 

Until next time, may God bless you.

We consider our ratings of ministries to be one of the most important things we do. It is also unique. No other organization rates Christian ministries, taking into account financial efficiency, board governance, transparency, and other issues.

In today’s EXTRA episode, I explain our rating system. Here are a few resources I mention in today’s program:

For a more complete explanation of our Financial Efficiency Rating, click here.

For a fuller explanation of our Transparency Grade, click here.

For a fuller explanation of our Donor Confidence Score, click here.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, more turmoil at St. Andrew’s Chapel in Florida—the church started by R.C. Sproul. Allegations surface as the church grapples with the fallout of recent excommunications. We’ll have details.

And, World Water Day was last week, and that prompted us to look at ministries that are in the clean water business. Which ones should you support? We’ll take a look.

Plus, former Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines died last week at 68 after a bout with cancer. He led one of the SBC’s largest churches for nearly two decades.

But first, a former PCA pastor was sentenced this month to 30 years in prison for abusing a minor.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Isaac Wood, Tony Mator, Bob Smietana, Makella Knowles, and Jessica Eturralde.

Until next time, may God bless you.

Christina

Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast.

In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.”

So, Warren, what’s up first?

Warren

Up first today is a podcast episode featuring Carl Lentz.

Christina

Are we talking about the same Carl Lentz who was a pastor of Hillsong New York and was famously involved in a number of scandals a few years ago?

Warren

That’s the guy. And before I say more, Christina, I should say that as a Christian, I believe in redemption, restoration, and second chances.

And the podcast I heard him on, Carey Nieuwhof’s Leadership podcast, is one I listen to often.

But his episode with Carl Lentz left me sad and confused. Nieuwhof asked the right questions, and Lentz often gave the right answers. But I still cannot help but think he needs to find a career out of the limelight as an entrepreneur or a business consultant and just stay away from church leadership and big platforms for a while longer. He says he is working on a book about his experiences, what he learned. I am sure it will be a bestseller. I will not be one of its buyers. You can watch or listen to the interview here.

Christina

But, Warren, you said you believe in second chances. When a pastor or ministry leader has a fall, what should they do? Are they permanently disqualified from ministry?

Warren

Well, in some cases, yes. It’s interesting to me that sometimes even secular organizations understand that. If you get convicted of certain kinds of financial fraud, you receive a lifetime ban from working in the financial services industry. Do I believe a child abuser can be saved? Absolutely, but I don’t want that person running a kindergarten ever again.

Christina

So what are they supposed to do? Go get a job at Home Depot?

Warren

Funny you should say that, because that’s exactly what Phil Cooke says they should do.

He wrote an article recently that I like, and that’s exactly the title: “Maybe the Best Thing for A Fallen Pastor Is a Job at Home Depot.” “When leaders betray trust,” he writes, “rushing them back into the pulpit isn’t restoration, it’s denial.” I agree 100 percent. You can read the entire article here.

Christina

Let’s change gears a bit, Warren, and talk about a topic that is important to us here at MinistryWatch.

Warren

MinistryWatch exists to help bring transparency and accountability to Christian ministries. We have noticed that there is a growing transparency crisis in both ministry spaces and in the country at large. Read, for example, my article on the importance of Form 990s to ministry transparency, and the practice of some ministries not to file them.

Christina

This trend in Christian ministries appears to be part of a larger trend in the country and even around the world.

Warren

Transparency International just released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index. According to The Signal, “The United States hit its lowest score ever—extending a decade-long slide. The global average also fell to its lowest level in more than 10 years.”

Christina

Warren, you learned this week of the passing of your friend and ministry leader Jerry Eisley.

Warren

I did, and though our listeners have probably not heard of him, he’s a guy who has quietly shaped an entire movement. There’s an entire movement today of Christians and the arts. I think of Andrew Peterson and The Rabbit Room. Or Charlie Peacock and the Art House Movement. SD (Sam) Smith and his Story Warren. Even Gabe Lyons and the Q Conferences. All of these movements owe a debt of gratitude to Jerry Eisley, who died this week at age 76.

When I was 20 years old and a junior in college, I had an internship in Washington, DC. My friend Jan Dargatz (who went on to become a successful writer and who also died recently) introduced me to Jerry and his wife Twila, and they offered to let me stay in their home in Georgetown until I could find a permanent place to live. I stayed in their basement apartment for a week, and that week changed my life. I had just read A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken, and — to me — Jerry and Twila were the real-life Van and Davy of that book. I wanted to be them when I grew up.

Christina

Just a year earlier, they had formed The Washington Arts Group.

Warren

That’s right. They got me involved in The Washington Arts Group and I made friends that I still have today, including people like the actor Tom Key, Sen. Bill Armstrong, who went on to become the president of Colorado Christian University, and Cal Thomas, who I saw just a few months ago.

On my many trips to Washington over the years I would often stop by Foxhall Gallery, Jerry and Twila’s business, and we would share a meal and often pray together. Jerry was one absolutely one of a kind. For me, the world is a different place without him in it. Condolences to his family and friends. Our consolation is that we shall meet again.

Christina

It’s a big pivot from the Washington Arts Group to Cowboy Church, but here we go!

Warren

Yes, I guess that is a big pivot, but I think it was a pivot Jerry would appreciate. His tastes were expansive, eclectic, and he was all about people pursuing their calling in life, so – in a way – Cowboy Church would be right up his alley.

But I will confess that it was not always up my alley. I was raised in the suburbs, and I live in the city today. But, like a lot of people of my generation, when I was a kid, I had “country cousins” and would often spend a few weeks on their farms each summer.

I helped put myself through college working on a ranch in New Mexico, so I developed a deep appreciation for farm and ranch life. That also means that the idea of a “cowboy church” is not new to me. I have even been to a few outdoor “cowboy church” services. That said, I found this article from Houston Public Media on cowboy churches to be one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I commend it to you.

Christina

Warren, let’s look at one more story before we go, and I’m almost reluctant to talk about it.

Warren

I am too. It’s the story of the Duggar family. You may remember the Duggar Family, who became stars at too young an age because of their “19 and Counting” television series. The series has been off the year for five years, after a decade-long run, but the family’s troubles continue.

Christina

Oldest son Josh Duggar is in prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Warren

Last week, Joseph Duggar was arrested for alleged sex crimes against a 9-year-old girl during a vacation in 2020. Duggar, a married father of four, was arrested on March 18 and charged with “Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor.”

Christina

We have chosen mostly not to cover this tragic story here at MinistryWatch.

Warren

This short paragraph will likely be it for us. But I wanted to mention it just enough to make this point: We are not meant to be celebrities. This insight is not original to me, but it is worth reminding ourselves of from time to time.

Christina

Any final notes before we go?

Warren

I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be in Los Angeles in April and Nashville; Dallas, and Knoxville in May. I will be in Denver and Colorado Springs in June. I will be doing reader lunches in all these cities. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is [email protected].

Christina

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Join me and Warren again on Friday for our look at the news of the week from a MinistryWatch perspective. Until then, may God bless you.

As you can read elsewhere on MinistryWatch, the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is now 25 years old. Despite the good intentions of those who founded it, the office – like many government entities – has outlived its usefulness and needs to end.

Resources mentioned in today’s program:

David Kuo’s 2006 book Tempting Faith.

2001 Cato commentary “The Federalist Case Against Faith-Based Initiatives” by Robert Levy.

2001 Cato briefing paper “Corrupting Charity: Why Government Should Not Fund Faith-Based Charities” by Michael Tanner.

Richard Land, longtime president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and now Executive Editor of The Christian Post expressed strong reservations, famously warning that government “shekels” would bring “government’s shackles.”

Marvin Olasky, a key intellectual figure behind “compassionate conservatism” and an advisor to George W. Bush during his Texas governorship, played a role in conceptualizing the original Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, as early as 2002 began to have concerns about the office.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Angelus Temple in Los Angeles—widely considered the first U.S. megachurch—has replaced its longtime pastors Matthew and Caroline Barnett. The announcement came after a sabbatical turned into a permanent separation. We’ll have details.

And, current news often leads to urgent fundraising pleas—but is your money going where you think it’s going? A recent example sought money to get Bibles to Iran, and prompted MinistryWatch to take a deeper look.

Also, the latest list from the MinistryWatch 1000 database—a look at ministries that do not file a Form 990. That list is getting longer, and why it matters.

But first, former New Life Church pastor Brady Boyd is starting his own church services less than 5 miles from his old church.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Bob Smietana, Adelle Banks, and Jessica Eturralde.

Until next time, may God bless you.

Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast.

In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.”

So, Warren, what’s up first?

 Warren

James Talarico, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in Texas, is using religious language to appeal to moderate voters. Conservative and Christian commentators have rightly called out Talarico for trying to make the Bible say what it clearly doesn’t say. I especially commend to you this article by my friends and former colleagues John Stonestreet and Tim Padgett.

Christina

We’ll have a link to that article in today’s show notes.

Warren

That’s great. I hope a lot of our listeners will read that piece.

The bad news, though, is that it is likely that Talarico will likely fool a lot of people whose faith has been poorly formed, or non-Christians who nonetheless want to appear faith friendly. It doesn’t help that the GOP has chosen prosperity gospel spokespeople such as Paula White to carry their banner. I think critiques of Talarico’s heresies would have more credibility if those critics had also been on record calling out prosperity gospel heresies. (Just for the record, Stonestreet has.

Christina

Again, we’ll link to an article he wrote, a critique of White and the prosperity gospel, in today’s show notes, here.)

Warren

Again, I’m glad, because I think both articles taken together are a good reminder that heresies pull us away from the gospel from all directions, not just from one or two.

Christina

Warren, the next item was of particular interest to us, since we work for one of the publishers the article talks about.

Warren

Axios published an article this saying “Smaller web publishers, with 1,000–10,000 daily page views, are experiencing the most precipitous traffic declines in the AI era, according to new Chartbeat data.” Artificial intelligence has meant that more people are getting answers to questions directly from AI and not by clicking on the results of Google searches.

Christina

My own experience confirms that. I’m using AI more and more.

Warren

Me, too. When I “google” something, I often don’t click on the links anymore, but just read the two or three sentence AI generated answer.

Christina

But that’s hurt the traffic of small publishers.

Warren

It has. Axios continues: Over the past two years, referral traffic from traditional search engines has declined by 60% for small publishers, compared with 47% for medium-sized publishers and 22% for large publishers, per Chartbeat. Medium-sized publishers are outlets with 10,000–100,000 daily page views, on average. Large publishers are those with more than 100,000 daily page views on average.”

Christina

For the record, MinistryWatch fits into the “medium” category, and we have seen our page views go up steadily over the past two years.

Warren

Last year, we had about 4-million-page views on our site. This year, we are on track for about 4.5 million.

Christina

We write a lot about the state of evangelicalism here at MinistryWatch, and there’s now a new book out that critiques evangelicalism as a movement consumed by conspiracy theories.

Warren

You’re right. We do write a lot about the overall state of evangelicalism. I have my own issues with evangelicalism. I even wrote a book about it! (A Lover’s Quarrel With The Evangelical Church.)

One of the reasons I wrote that book was my concern that most critiques of evangelicalism were from those who had no real interest in the church’s health and restoration. They were merely ham-fisted attempts to take down the church. Jared Stacy’s new book Reality In Ruins,unfortunately, fits into that category. That’s why I was delighted to read Bonnie Kristian’s lengthy and thoughtful review of the book at Christianity Today.

She does a fantastic job dismantling the exaggerated arguments of the book while, at the same time, acknowledging that what Jared Stacy describes is indeed true of some of the darker corners of the evangelical movement.

While We’re At It. Check out Bonnie Kristian’s Substack. It’s one of the few “blogs” (Is Substack a blog? Are blogs still a thing?) that I read from beginning to end.

Christina

We also note a passing this week.

Warren

You may have heard that Paul Ehrlich died last week. He was 93.  Ehrlich made news in the 1960s called The Population Bomb, which predicted widespread starvation and war as a result of overpopulation. Liberals used the book to promote abortion, contraception, and homosexuality as an “evolutionary adaptation” to procreative unions.

Christina

Ehrlich turned out to be spectacularly wrong about this and many other matters.

Warren

The real reason for population growth in the 20th century was the worldwide increase in living standards and lifespan. As population expert Steven Moshertold me, “The reason the population grew was not because we were breeding like rabbits, but because we were no longer dying like flies.” But we’ve likely reached the end of longevity increases, so if birthrates stay the same, look for population declines in most countries in the world in the decades ahead. That’s already happening in much of Europe.

Christina

You also note this week that shopping malls are making a comeback.

Warren

Shopping malls have been distressed for the past decade or more, with many of them closing down or being repurposed.

But my friends at Axis, a Christian ministry that helps parents keep an eye on youth culture and how it’s affecting kids, noted this week that “Gen Z is driving a resurgence in mall shopping, with many malls redesigning public spaces to be more “photogenic” and social-media friendly, as well as popular online stores like Edikted opening brick-and-mortar locations.”

Christina

Is this an anomaly or a new direction?

Warren

It may be too early to tell. But it could be the 2.0 version of the social media era, an era that provides an antidote to social media isolation with a dose of 80s and 90s mall culture.

Christina

Any final notes before we go?

Warren

I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be in Los Angeles in April and Nashville in May, where I’ll be speaking to the annual meeting of the Evangelical Press Association. And I’ll be speaking at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs, Colorado, in June. I will be doing reader lunches in all three cities. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is [email protected].

Christina

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith.

Until next time, may God bless you.