Taking the temperature of the Church: How are congregations adapting to the changing religious landscape
The United States is in the midst of unprecedented spiritual, technological, demographic, political and social changes that are reshaping the American church.
Join us on Thursday, May 30 at 2:00 pm EST for a timely and important one-hour conversation with thought leaders as they discuss how the Christian church has changed in recent years and what the church might look like going forward. This conversation is framed by the publication by Bob Smietana of Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters.
The event is free. However, advanced registration is required at
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Program Details
RNS Managing Editor Roxanne Stone will moderate this one-hour conversation with Bob Smietana, the Rev. Laura Everett, and the Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin.
Bob Smietana is a national reporter for RNS based near Chicago, covering evangelicals, weird religion and the changing religious landscape. Smietana is an award-winning religion reporter and editor who has spent two decades producing breaking news, data journalism, investigative reporting, profiles and features for magazines, newspapers, trade publications and websites. Most notably, he has served as a senior writer for Facts & Trends, senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for RNS and contributor to OnFaith, USA Today and The Washington Post. He is best known for his coverage of Islam and Islamophobia, including his comprehensive reporting on the Murfreesboro Mosque conflict, and of evangelical Christianity, including the emotional journey of Pearl Joy Brown’s family as well as the Willow Creek Community Church scandal.
The Rev. Laura E. Everett is the executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, a pastor in the United Church of Christ, and a dedicated urbanist. She is the author of Holy Spokes: The Search for Urban Spirituality on Two Wheels. A graduate of Brown University. Laura received her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. Committed to the renewal and thriving of vibrant Christian institutions, she serves as an advisor with Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School. Laura also is the co-host of the podcast “Can These Bones” with Bill Lamar, from Faith & Leadership at Duke Divinity School.
The Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is the Chief Impact Officer at Christianity Today and founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries, which accelerates thriving for pastors, churches, and younger leaders. She is also active in her local congregation in Maryland at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church where she leads the Grow Ministry. Dr. Martin is a gifted writer and author of numerous articles including two books: Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional. She serves on the executive council of the National Association of Evangelicals, the board of trustees at Fuller Theological Seminary, and on the National Advisory Council for the Salvation Army. She is a founding board member of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and has been inducted into the esteemed Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. She is also a co-catalyst for the Lausanne Scripture Engagement Global Network.
Roxanne Stone is the managing editor for RNS, overseeing the daily operations of the newsroom. She is also the co-host of the RNS, award-winning podcast Saved By the City. Stone is based in New York City.
Before coming to RNS in 2019, Stone served as editor in chief for Barna Group, a social research firm focusing on religion in America. While there, she led the creation of a new product line of monographs, as well as the acquisition and development of several trade books. She previously served as editorial director for Relevant Media Group, where she oversaw the production of three magazines and daily online operations. She also regularly wrote for the magazine, including an award-winning article on faith-based relief efforts in Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake. Stone was previously an online editor at Christianity Today International and a book editor and curriculum developer at Group Publishing. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Colorado State University.
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Religion News Service is an independent, nonprofit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics, reported by a staff of professional journalists. Founded in 1934, RNS informs readers with objective reporting and insightful commentary, and is relied upon by readers, listeners and viewers in the United States and around the world. Visit ReligionNews.com.
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