New and Noteworthy: ‘The Vanishing Church,’ Lore Segal, and More

Three culture recommendations from our editors.

The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us, by Ryan P. Burge / Brazos

Resistance and Reverence

The State of Belief podcast aims to deliver “a potent mix of spiritual wisdom, political strategy, and hopeful commentary.” Weekly, Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with faith leaders and activists about topics ranging from book bans to religious liberty to nonviolent resistance. Interfaith Alliance

Monolithic Pews

The Vanishing Church explores links between political polarization and declining church attendance. Statistician and former pastor Ryan Burge saw his own moderate congregation dwindle and close. What are the consequences when collective worship only includes those who share political views? Brazos

Even After Death

Lore Segal, a regular contributor to The New Yorker who passed in 2024, still has wisdom to share on aging, loneliness, and the spirituality of doubt. Still Talking, a posthumously published essay collection, is full of the intimacy and humor that defined Segal’s voice. Melville House Publishing

This appears in the March 2026 issue of Sojourners