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The Final Service

Mateo Schimpf
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Church membership in the U.S. has fallen off a cliff and pastors across the country are trying to save their congregations from shrinking to zero. Why have so many people left Christianity and can pastors do anything to save their churches from dying?

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes776Founded20 years ago
Categories
DocumentaryReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Final Service

Latest Episodes

A  church in decline tries to reinvent itself, and its young members struggle with how to talk about Christianity.

The Final Service is written and produced by Mateo Schimpf with additional writing and reporting from Ray Suarez. It's edited by Jarro... more

YouTube

Julian Deshazier is a rapper and a pastor. That sounds like it would be appealing to kids from his old neighborhood on the South Side. But getting them to show up to church on Sundays isn't easy.

The Final Service is written and produced by Mateo Sc... more

YouTube

Christian Allyn is proud to be Lithuanian. So when he found out that the archbishop was going to close his Lithuanian church in Waterbury, Connecticut, he decided to step in. Can his appeal save St. Joseph’s Church?

The Final Service is written and ... more

YouTube

This is the first chapter in a four-part series about church closures in America.

Lorraine Pacheco is the caretaker for a tiny church in an even tinier town in the eastern plains of New Mexico. As she gets older and her congregation shrinks, she’s s... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Lorraine Pacheco
Mayordoma at Mission San Rafael, committed to preserving her community's church
Episode: EP1. The Mayordomos
Father Robb Joxich
Head priest at Our Lady of Sorrows, responsible for multiple mission churches
Episode: EP1. The Mayordomos
Jonathan Rauch
Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: Jonathan Rauch on the Limits of MAGA and Trump
Michael McFaul
Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, and International Affairs Analyst for NBC News.
Stanford University
Episode: Ambassador Michael McFaul: Ukrainians May Fight On, Even with a Trump/Putin Deal
Ryan Burge
Former pastor and political science professor specializing in the study of religion in America
Eastern Illinois University
Episode: Why You’re Probably Not Going to Church this Christmas
Jennifer Cohn
Clinical Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and Scholar at the Center for Global Health
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership
Episode: Overuse of Antibiotics and the Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance
Ted Hesson
Reporter for Reuters focusing on immigration policy and politics
Reuters
Episode: Millions of Deportations? Just How Tough Trump Might Get on Immigration
Yascha Mounk
Author of The Great Experiment, Why Diverse Democracies Fail and How They Can Endure
Episode: Yascha Mounk on How To Save Diverse Democracies
Mike Madrid
Veteran political consultant, author of The Latino Century, and co-host of the Latino Vote podcast.
The Lincoln Project
Episode: Mike Madrid: Latino Voters and the Working Class ‘Tectonic Shift’

Host

Ray Suarez
Host of On Shifting Ground; veteran journalist known for his deep insights into current events and societal issues; a compassionate newscaster emphasizing the importance of informed dialogue around complex topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 317 ratings
  • Great show

    I like this show because the guests are unique and well informed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OfToronto
    Canadaa year ago
  • The opposite of insightful

    It was a waste of their time to record this podcast and a waste of my time to listen to it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Neal________________
    United Statesa year ago
  • Really Interesting Talks, Usually Foreign Policy

    Super interesting discussions with experts will deepen your understanding of what’s happening in the world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scrutonizer
    United States2 years ago
  • Rays knowledge is encyclopedic

    In depth, global coverage

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    This years girl
    United States2 years ago
  • Ray and Reza

    This week’s episode is, as always, fascinating, but also fun, as Ray, who is a wonderful storyteller, interviews another great storyteller, Reza Aslan about the history of an earlier revolution in then, Persia, in which a young Christian missionary English teacher in Persia leads his students in a revolt in the besieged city of Tabriz…and dies. A serious subject, pleasurably told.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    womanbyherradio
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many listeners appreciate the insightful personal stories shared in episodes.
Fascinating discussions with experts on deep social topics.
Some feel the podcast effectively tackles complex issues regarding faith and society, although there can be critiques about the depth of discussion.
Listeners express gratitude for the unique perspectives provided by guests, noting the value of diverse opinions in understanding contemporary religious dynamics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP4. Stigma
Q: What was your first impression of San Leandro Church of Christ?
Oh my goodness.
EP4. Stigma
Q: How do you feel about, like, if the church is a place where people don't necessarily always show up on Sunday, but they're still part of the church?
That's the way it is now.
Secretary Robert Gates on Israel’s Retaliation, and What Biden Does Next
Q: How do you think the president has played America's hand in these initial days of the war?
I give the Biden administration high marks for how they've dealt with the situation, especially the commitment of US military resupply and repositioning carrier groups as a signal of support for Israel.
Secretary Robert Gates on Israel’s Retaliation, and What Biden Does Next
Q: What does it oblige the two partners to do, and particularly in this case, a non-state actor directly attacking on the national territory of a member of this alliance?
The security arrangements with Israel commit us to provide military assistance but do not commit American troops if Israel is attacked, unlike NATO's Article 5 commitment.
Why You’re Probably Not Going to Church this Christmas
Q: What role do religious institutions play in a community?
Burge emphasizes that religious institutions provide crucial social capital, community support, and have historically played an important role in civic engagement and activism.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Final Service

What is The Final Service about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the decline of church membership across the United States, this series explores the myriad reasons behind the shrinking congregations and the challenges faced by pastors striving to retain their flocks. It features intimate conversations with religious leaders, cultural analysts, and researchers, providing insightful commentary on the cultural shifts affecting practices of faith. Episodes draw on personal stories and broader societal trends, revealing the emotional and spiritual turmoil experienced by individuals navigating their faith in a rapidly changing world. The blend of expert analysis and firsthand accounts offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current state of Christianity in America, making it a compell... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Final Service?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Final Service:

1. Radio Atlantic
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. The Daily
5. Pod Save the World

How many episodes of The Final Service are there?

The Final Service launched 20 years ago and published 776 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Final Service?

Recent guests on The Final Service include:

1. Lorraine Pacheco
2. Father Robb Joxich
3. Jonathan Rauch
4. Michael McFaul
5. Ryan Burge
6. Jennifer Cohn
7. Ted Hesson
8. Yascha Mounk

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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