198. Clergy, Congregations, and Hope After the Pandemic, with Scott Thumma, Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research

Spiritual Life and Leadership

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Scott Thumma is Professor of Sociology of Religion at Hartford International University and Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Scott is also Principal Investigator of a study titled Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations.
In this episode, Scott Thumma shares insights from that study, including the tension between clergy and congregations, the rise of hybrid worship, and the ongoing struggle to adapt to a changing world.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Scott Thumma emphasizes the resistance to change that clergy might within their congregations, attributing it to "suffering from whiplash."
• Congregations need to evolve and adapt in order to avoid obsolescence.
• Thumma noted the profound effect of the pandemic on congregational life during his sabbatical at the start of the pandemic, which resulted in a grant for a 5-year study.
• The Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations study revealed both positive and troubling aspects of the pandemic's impact on congregational dynamics.
• Earlier in 2021, congregational life was at a low point, but there was a sense of community and rallying together to address the challenges.
• Many congregations have shifted back to in-person programs and meetings, finding in-person interactions to be richer and more robust.
• Scott Thumma points out that some functions, such as adult education and committee meetings, can function significantly better virtually.
• Scott Thumma emphasizes the importance of making congregations reflect the customizable and virtual nature of the modern era, and discusses how hybridity can expand the number of people serviced in a congregation and meet the expectations of visitors and new members.
• Scott Thumma acknowledges the collective trauma experienced during the pandemic, noting changes in behavior and a sense that "none of us are the same."
• Trends show that congregation sizes and average ages of attendees and pastors have continued to change, but the pandemic didn't radically impact the overall trajectory of the church.
• Scott Thumma is concerned about a decreasing willingness to change among congregations since the pandemic, leading to reluctance for continued adaptation and change.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations REPORT
• Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congreagions WEBSITE
• Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations WEBINAR SERIES
• Hartford Institute for Religion Research
• Faith Communities Today
• Related episodes:
  • Ep. 153: Leadership in a Time of Declining Church Attendance, with Thom Rainer

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