Faith Forward: The Future of Congregational Life
Bower Hill Community Church invites you to three part speaker series.
March 11 ~ Ryan Burge - Examines the data including the rise of non-religious, religious polarization and implicatins for American society
April 22 ~ Andrew Root - Discussed how congregational life is changing
May 13 ~ Liddy Barlow, Greg Jones,Tracy Keenan, Eric Schaffer - A panel discussion on potential ways forward.
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Dinner Included - Cefalo's Banquet and Event Center - Carnegie, PA
Each of the three programs will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. Presentations and discussion will conclude by 5:30 p.m. at which time dinner will be served. At 7:00 p.m. participants are encouraged to stay on for further informal discussion with our speaker(s). The evening will conclude by 8:00 p.m.
On March 11 we will examine the data . .
Ryan P. Burge is a political scientist and statistician known for his work on religion, and until 2024, an American Baptist pastor. Dr. Burge is currently a professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center at Washington University in St. Louis. His popular Substack newsletter "Graphs about Religion" has tens of thousands of subscribers. He is a well-known data analyst with work appearing in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, POLITICO, and he has been featured on 60 Minutes. Our speaker is the author of five books. His debut, "The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going", explores the dramatic rise of non-religious Americans and offers explanations for this seismic cultural shift. His forthcoming book, "The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us",: examines religious polarization and its broader implications for American society. Join us for what will no doubt be a thought provoking presentation.
On April 22 we will learn how congregational life is changing .
Andrew Root has been a professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul since 2005 where he teaches classes on a theology of ministry, youth ministry, and culture. He is the author of the six volume, Ministry in a Secular Age series that examines what it means to practice faith in a secular age. Dr. Root explores how today's belief systems are more fragile and contested, leading people to seek
meaning through more personal quests. Our speaker will present his ideas on maintaining faith amidst modern challenges, and finding divine encounters in everyday interactions. He is known for an engaging style that laces together stories, theological depth, and humor..
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On May 13 we will discuss potential ways forward . . . ​
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Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, will moderate a discussion among our guest speakers, each of whom brings unique experiences to the challenges lying ahead in congregational life.
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Gregory D. Jones, is an Adjunct Professor in the Theology Department of Duquesne University. His research interests
involve exploring the theological value and meaning of gaming, along with the interplay of religion, media and popular culture. On Sundays, Greg may be found worshiping with First Baptist Church of Bridgeville, which is currently sharing space with Bower Hill.
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Tracy Keenan is the recently retired Missional Presbyter at the New Castle Presbytery in Newark, Delaware. She assisted congregations in Delaware and Eastern Maryland in utilizing their mission, outreach and social justice activities to invigorate member churches. In addition, Tracy served as associate pastor of Bower Hill
Community Church from 1988 - 1994.
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Eric Schaffer is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh, after having spent more than 40 years
at a major international law firm. He is also the Past President and member of the Board of Trustees of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Rodef Shalom merged in 2025 with Temple Sinai -- Pittsburgh's two largest reform Jewish congregations. He will share insights on the process, pitfalls, and potential for congregations considering a merger in their future.​
Registration Form
These three programs will be held at Cefalo's Banquet and Event Center. If you think the venue looks like a church, well, it used to be one!
428 Washington Avenue
Carnegie, PA 15106
Registration must be received at least one weekin advance of each program and includes dinner.
Please indicate which events you plan to attend:
_____Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - $35
_____Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - $35
_____Wednesday, May 13, 2026 -$35
_____Sign me up for the entire series - $90
_____I can't come but would like to support
these important conversations with a donation.
Name
Affiliation (optional)
Postal Address
Email address
Special needs (dietary or physical ability)
Please return this form with your fee made
payable to:
Bower Hill Community Church
70 Moffett Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15243