Reclaiming Real Community: Why the Church Can't Ignore Culture's Collapse - w/ Steve Geller

Voxology

Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2018

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

How do church decline and societal disconnection go hand in hand? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mike Erre is joined by longtime friend (and former Ohio State quarterback) Steve Geller to talk football, faith, and the unraveling of American communal life. After reliving an unforgettable moment of gridiron glory and fumble-induced infamy, the duo digs into a sobering sociology-rooted critique of modern American church decline—based on recent writing from Scott McKnight’s blog, “The Death of the Church.”

They explore why church attendance is declining, not just from spiritual apathy, but from broader cultural forces like suburban sprawl, screen saturation, and radical individualism. Mike and Steve unpack how churches have often mirrored these anti-community forces instead of countering them, and share candid stories about technology, parenting, and spiritual hunger in our hyper-fragmented age.

Key Takeaways:
• Why church decline may reflect the breakdown of American community—not just bad preaching or boring worship.
• How suburban sprawl, screen addiction, and a “me first” culture work as anti-community forces eroding church life.
• Ways the church reinforces individualism in sermons, programs, and discipleship—even while preaching togetherness.
• The spiritual power of proximity and presence: reclaiming place, community events, and shared meals as holy acts.
• How churches can offer better responses to technology’s isolating effects by becoming pro-people rather than anti-tech.

Guest Highlights:
Steve Geller – Former Ohio State quarterback turned educational leader and thoughtful church critic. Steve brings heartfelt reflections on Christian formation, community loss, and why the church must take a hard look at what it models today.

Resources Mentioned:
• Scott McKnight’s Blog: “The Death of the Church” – [Link]
• Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam – [Link]
• The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch – [Link]

Let’s rethink what real church community means. Subscribe, share this episode, and join the conversation on your favorite socials. Support us on Patreon or check out our latest resources online.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, Mike Erie here coming at you from suburban Columbus, Ohio, where spring has finally sprung.
0:19.0	It is in the 70s, it is in the 80s, there are flowers,
0:22.6	life is magical, unicorns are dancing.
0:25.5	And we are very excited.
0:26.8	Today I have with me in studio, a very special guest.
0:30.7	Now, many of you know or have commented on my love and devotion to God's team, Ohio State, the Ohio State Buckeye football team.
0:41.3	And to be here in the epicenter, you know, it's kind of like being, if you're Catholic, it's kind of like visiting the Vatican.
0:49.3	If you're, you know, if you're a Notre Dame fan, it's like going to South Bend. I mean, to be in the epicenter of Ohio State football and drive by the stadium that's only 10 minutes away, big deal.
1:00.1	But even bigger than that is meeting X players.
1:03.7	So today, in studio, I have an ex-Ohio state quarterback.
1:09.2	Now, how it works in Columbus is if you're, if you're
1:11.9	an Ohio State football player, you're always famous. I mean, just end of story. There's
1:16.7	automatic respect, notoriety, and other things that will not be mentioned that go along with
1:24.1	that. Now, so today I've got a quarterback who I watched his team play in the, it was
1:32.7	1997, January 1st.
1:36.1	This was John Cooper's biggest win of his Buckeye tenure.
1:39.8	It was when we came back against the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona University of Arizona Wildcats,
1:47.0	led by, they were led by Pat Tillman and Jake the Snake.
1:51.0	Jake the Snake.
1:52.0	And we scored like in the last minute to win it and run the Rose Bowl and it was epic.
1:59.0	But I am joined by a quarterback from that team.
2:05.6	Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the studio with me.
	...

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