Documentary 'Christianity at a Crossroads' Examines Decline and Scandal in U.S. Churches
The four‑part documentary Christianity at a Crossroads premiered on public television stations across the United States on Oct. 1, 2026, offering an in‑depth look at the flatlining of church attendance, waning youth religiosity and a wave of scandals that have touched nearly every Christian denomination.
The series arrives at a moment when American faith communities are grappling with shrinking congregations, a loss of trust in religious institutions and the lingering effects of high‑profile abuse investigations, making its findings salient for both believers and the broader public.
Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier produced the series through Journey Films, a company known for PBS‑style religious documentaries, and secured funding from the Lilly Endowment, which also supports the Religion News Service. Interviews with sociologist Ryan Burge, ethicist Russell Moore and pollster Melissa Deckman frame the documentary’s narrative.
Footage spans a 120‑year‑old United Methodist church that shuttered in rural Michigan, a traditional Catholic parish in Greenwich Village that is packed with twenty‑ and thirties‑year‑olds, and a network of house churches meeting in living rooms. The film also documents a virtual‑reality church experiment and the decision by Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, to sell its building while keeping the community together.
"Our argument is, these are challenging moments. Christianity is at a crossroads. It’s going to have to make some decisions, and I think it’s doing that," Doblmeier said.
Experts in the series point to a cultural shift away from inherited religious practice as the primary driver of decline, noting that families no longer prioritize faith transmission, which reduces the likelihood of lifelong church involvement.
Although the documentary mentions the rise of Christian nationalism, it deliberately avoids a deep dive into the political landscape surrounding former President Trump and related immigration policies.
Amid the challenges, the series highlights hopeful signs: Resurrection Church in Kansas City, led by Rev. Adam Hamilton, seeks a socially engaged yet theologically grounded path; St. Joseph’s Church in New York continues to draw young worshippers without altering its traditional liturgy; and Christ Congregational Church models a community‑first approach by selling its building but meeting in a neighbor’s basement.
"We’re not doing anything different. We’re not trying to cater to this younger generation. We’re presenting what we think are the Catholic teachings, and the (young) people are coming," a pastor at St. Joseph’s explained.
The series is available for free on journeyfilms.com, and its creators hope it will serve as a resource for churches navigating a crossroads of decline and renewal.
