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Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church talks with Tony about how he managed to transform a small Bible study group in Seattle, WA into one of America’s largest and fastest growing churches. We discuss the history of Mars Hill, the church’s organization and Pastor Driscoll’s innovative pastoral stategy. Unlike many churches, Mars Hill appeals strongly to young adult males. This is a great podcast for people interested in church growth and re-invigorating church culture and organization.

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Prof. James Wellman (University of Washington) discusses the findings of his recent research on evangelical versus liberal Christians in the Pacific Northwest. We cover the differences in these two distinct religious subcultures in terms of their core values and how this affects their pastoral organization. The podcast concludes with speculation as to why evangelical Christianity is growing in the Pacific Northwest, whereas liberal mainline Protestantism is not.

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has exhibited remarkable growth and its members show remarkable commitment and satisfaction with their church. Prof. Michael McBride (UC-Irvine) talks about LDS organization and how Mormons overcome the free-riding problem that is common in many other denominations.

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Prof. Thomas Kidd (Baylor University) discusses the causes and consequences of The Great Awakening in the middle part of the 18th century. Learn about the great preachers George Whitefield, James Davenport and Gilbert Tennent, and find out what impact this evangelical revival had on the abolitionist movement and the American Revolution. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)

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Economist Marc von der Ruhr (St. Norbert’s College) explains how megachurches attract and retain members, becoming one of the fastest growing segments of the American religious landscape. (To download, right click on the download button and select “save target as…”).

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Historian Philip Jenkins discusses the changing face of global Christianity. The conversation begins by looking at the global nature of Christianity throughout history and how it became conceived of as a European faith. Our attention then turns to how Christianity is expanding and changing in Africa, Asia and Latin America and what this means for religion in Europe and the United States.

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J. Gordon Melton, director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion, discusses trends in American religion over the past two centuries with a focus on the future of denominationalism. Other topics discussed include the non-affiliated, new religious groups, and race in American religion. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)

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Bradley R.E. Wright shares various empirical findings from his new book “Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites… and Other Lies You’ve Been Told.” Tony and Brad discuss a series of stereotypes that many people (including Christians) have about American Protestants revolving around the issues of divorce, charity, honesty, race, and the decline of American Christianity. (To download, right click the “download” button to the right and choose “save target as…”)

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University of Washington sociologist Steven Pfaff discusses how professors and students were critical in spreading the Reformation at the grassroots. His micro-level analysis is contrasted with more familiar macro-sociological explanations.

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