![Pastor Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and author of "The Nones," poses for a portrait at at First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Sept. 10, 2023.](https://hagadone.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/07/24/AP24199714415120_t1170.jpg?5cc718665ab672dba93d511ab4c682bb370e5f86)
Pastor Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and author of "The Nones," poses for a portrait at at First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Sept. 10, 2023.
July 26, 2024
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![Scholar's church closes its doors](
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Scholar's church closes its doors
First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, has held the last service of its 156-year history. It's among many U.S. churches that close their doors each year. But there's a poignant twist in this story. First Baptist's pastor, Ryan Burge, spends much of his time as a researcher, documenting the dramatic decline in religious affiliation in recent decades. With more Americans abandoning religious affiliation, it's hard to grow and sustain a church, Burge says. He hopes his research, and his personal experience, can provide comfort to other pastors of struggling churches. "This is not all your fault," Burge tells them.