Ep. 586: Clergy Act Advances, Generational Shift in Churches, Church Property and the Housing Crisis

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren  The Clergy Act (H.R. 227) would give pastors a chance to re-enroll in Social Security if they mistakenly opted out irrevocably earlier in their careers. Christina This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Reps. Vince Fong (R-Calif.) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.). And it’s endorsed by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Warren Yes, and that’s a bit unusual. That group doesn’t often endorse legislation. According to ECFA President and CEO Michael Martin, “Having heard numerous stories of ministers who feel trapped by a decision they did not fully understand as they began their pastoral work, I know this bill will be a breath of fresh air for many faith leaders.” Christina I don’t think a lot of people understand that clergy can opt out of the social security program, but once they opt out, they’re stuck with that decision. Warren That’s right. And that decision is usually irreversible. Many clergy choose early in their ministries to apply for the exemption from the Social Security system. The Clergy Act would allow a temporary two-year window for pastors to revoke their exemption and re-enter the Social Security system beginning in 2029.” Pastors opting back in would still need to pay into Social Security for the equivalent of 10 years (40 quarters) before being eligible to receive benefits. Christina Speaking of unusual moves, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second largest district in the nation. It passed a resolution last week to limit screen times in all classrooms. Warren This is a huge development that I hope other districts will follow. The school board issued a statement saying the move sets the district “as a national leader in setting thoughtful, research-based limits on student screen use and classroom technology tools.” The resolution passed 6-0 and will set screen time limits per grade level, eliminate technology for those in first grade and under and prohibit student-led use of YouTube and other streaming platforms. Christina Up next, you have more data from Ryan Burge. Warren Yes, I hate to be so predictable, but I have new data from Ryan often, because I think he’s one of the most insightful analysts in the Christian world these days. Christina So what do you have this week? Warren First, he remains skeptical that we are experiencing revival in the U.S. He says that the growth in church attendance is likely temporary, kind of a “dead cat bounce,” a rebound from COVID. And he warns that the death of the Baby Boom generation over the next 10 to 20 years will put serious stress on both the American culture and on the American church. The oldest Boomers are now in their 80s, and more recent generations are simply not large enough or active enough in church to replace them. You can read his latest analysis here. Christina In your “Signs and Wonders” column, you highlight a church in San Diego that is taking a dramatic step to help ease the housing crisis. Warren It’s an interesting story of a church that has a lot of land, but is in a neighborhood that is struggling, so it is re-developing some of that land into affordable housing. Christina Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church is creating a community of townhomes named Villa La Paz. Warren They are partnering with a real estate developer named Randy Haragan. Haragan said, “Hard-working people are leaving Southern California in droves because they can’t afford to raise a family here.” Haragan hopes the project will become a template for smaller San Diego churches and their neighborhoods. Christina Haragan and church leaders believe the redevelopment of church property solves a lot of problems. Warren It provides cash and income for land-rich but cash-poor congregations, it provides badly needed affordable housing, and it provides local jobs and entrepreneurial energy to a neighborhood. The  church’s pastor, Grant Van Leuven, said, “My eldest daughter and her husband are moving to Michigan because they can’t afford housing to raise a large family in San Diego. We hope Randy’s program helps folks stay in our communities and churches.” Christina Lifeway Christian Resources has a new leader. Warren Dr. Ryan Blackwell is the organization’s 11th president and CEO during a special-called meeting April 22 in Nashville. Christina Blackwell, 42, has blue-chip credentials. Warren He does. He comes to Lifeway from his role as executive pastor and teaching pastor at Cross Church in Springdale, Arkansas, where he has served since 2020. The church grew from 7,000 to more than 11,000 in weekly attendance and expanded to a fourth campus while he was there. Christina Prior to joining the staff at Cross Church, he served as senior pastor at First Baptist Church of San Francisco for nearly a decade. Warren San Francisco is a tough place to lead a conservative, evangelical church. But he led the revitalization of this historic congregation from 2010-2019. I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I predict that we have just witnessed the emergence of a new national leader in the SBC. Christina So what’s going on behind the scenes here at MinistryWatch? Warren It was great to visit with readers and donors in Los Angeles and Jacksonville recently. I will be speaking at the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association in Nashville in May. I will also be in Dallas and Knoxville in May. I will be speaking at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs in June, so I will be doing reader lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs during that trip. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is [email protected]. Christina The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.