July 14, 2025

Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 1)

21 minutes

Many of the disruptions in local church life are widely known. For example, most congregants and church leaders can clearly see the impact of COVID several years ago. But there have been a number of “quiet” disruptions that don’t get much attention. Thom and Sam look at ten of them over two episodes.

1. Evolving expectations for spiritual authority.

2. Blurring the lines between personal and private faith.

3. Digital natives redefine community.

4. Micro-communities become a greater influence.

5. Donation dynamics change.

Resources:

Upward Sports

Upward Sports: Pickleball

Rooted

Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!

Churchteams

Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 2)

“The Anxious Generation Goes to Church” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

Church Answers Platinum Membership

FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

The Power of Partnership

Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

A Variety of Sports for Every Church

From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.

Exciting News: Pickleball Has Arrived!

Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

Be the Neighborhood Church

Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.

Get Ahead for Fall Sports

Looking ahead to the fall season? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – Use sports as that invite. Whether it’s soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball or pickleball, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader and Upward will support you with the rest.

Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…

A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose

A sustainable way to launch groups

An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship

An opportunity to change the culture of your church

Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

The post Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 1) appeared first on Church Answers.

...more

View all episodes

By Thom Rainer

4.8

461461 ratings