A Conversation Focused on Significant Trends Impacting Post-Pandemic Congregation
While much of the world is experiencing significant transition, few places are as vulnerable to major shifts in engagement as faith communities. For years, we were seeing a decline in attendance within many congregations. Today, we see major shifts across the board - in attendance, giving, engagement, demographics, conflict, and change management to name a few.
Few people understand these trends as well as Dr. Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion and director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University. Dr. Thumma has published numerous research reports, website documents, articles, and chapters on religious life in addition to co-authoring three books on the changing religious landscape.
Scott is the PI for a Lilly Endowment Thriving in Ministry grant and a large 5-year grant to study the impact of the pandemic on churches. He co-leads the Faith Communities Today national research project and has conducted 7 national studies of megachurches and 3 national studies of nondenominational churches.
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Thumma as we explore what is happening to congregations, what the future might hold for the Progressive Faith movement and what YOU need to know as a leader traversing these interesting times.
Your Conversation Partners
Dr. Scott Thumma
Dr. Scott Thumma is Professor of Sociology of Religion and director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University. He has published numerous research reports, website documents, articles, and chapters on religious life in addition to co-authoring three books, The Other 80 Percent, Beyond Megachurch Myths and Gay Religion. He has researched and written on megachurches, evangelicalism, gay religious life, the rise of nondenominationalism, and the changing religious landscape.
Scott is the PI for a Lilly Endowment Thriving in Ministry grant and a large 5-year grant to study the impact of the pandemic on churches. He co-leads the Faith Communities Today national research project and has conducted 7 national studies of megachurches and 3 national studies of nondenominational churches.
Rev. Cameron Trimble
Rev. Cameron Trimble is a serial entrepreneur committed to the triple bottom line – a concern for people, progress and the planet. Driven by an adventurous spirit, she co-founded and serves as the CEO of Convergence, an international church consultancy. She serves as a senior consultant, a frequent speaker on national speaking circuits, is a pilot and an author.
As a pilot, Cameron learns many of her leadership lessons through the adventures of the cockpit of her airplane. She has authored six books including Searching for the Sacred and Piloting Church. She has also enjoyed a career as an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ, serving as the pastor of four congregations in the Atlanta area. Hers has been an eclectic career path – undoubtedly with more adventures to come – and she welcomes the wisdom she gains each day on the way.