Congregation and Religion Research Gathering: Full Schedule

Congregation and Religion Research Gathering 2026

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9:00am EST

What the Numbers Tell Us: Reading the Religious Revival in an Age of Bad Surveys

Wednesday December 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EST

You have probably seen the headlines. Across Canada, the United States, and Europe, there are reports of a religious revival led by young people, and especially by young men returning to Christianity. What should we make of these stories? This talk works through the best available American evidence. I ask whether the long decline in American religiosity has genuinely stopped, whether it has reversed, or whether what we are seeing is a post-pandemic rebound mistaken for a revival. Along the way, you will learn what surveys can and cannot tell us about religious change, and why a single survey is not enough to establish a trend. I'll also explain why the gender gap in religion is closing; hint - it is not for the reasons the headlines suggest.

Speakers

David Eagle

Associate Professor of Global Health and Sociology, Duke University

I am an Associate Professor of Global Health and Sociology at Duke University, where I also serve as the Research Director for the Clergy Health Collaborative. My research is focused on understanding how North America is changing religiously and the implications of change for religious... Read More →

Wednesday December 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EST

Plenary

1:30pm EST

Plenary #2

Wednesday December 9, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EST

Speakers

Lori Guenther Reesor

Christian giving specialist

Helping churches talk about money is my superpower. For my doctoral research on Christian giving, I toured church basements in five provinces, listening to testimonies of how people learned to be generous. I also crunch giving numbers at both local and denominational levels. My degrees... Read More →

Wednesday December 9, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EST

Plenary

Congregation and Religion Research Gathering

From CA$30.00

Tickets