Congregations in a Time of Change

Abstract

We examine Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago as a rare example of a liberal Protestant megachurch that provides a case study of broader changes in American religion. We argue that there are four important lessons that can be learned from American religious history: (1) culture controls churches—churches are shaped by the cultural climates of their time, (2) emotion always trumps the mind—the emotional capacity of churches wins over cognitive claims, (3) leadership counts—charismatic leaders are vital for the success of churches, and (4) congregations tell the real story of what is going on in American religious culture.