When God Left the Building examines a major shift in American religious life. Churches that once sat near the center of their communities are shrinking, struggling and, in some cases, closing altogether.
The documentary follows churches facing both cultural change and internal conflict. It also asks what a church should be when familiar models no longer seem to work.
“A pervasive part of the American fabric is fraying and decaying before our eyes. The church is withering.”
The filmmakers point to falling weekly attendance and thousands of church closures each year. Though most Americans still identified themselves as Christians, the film says fewer than 20% attended church in a typical week. It also says about 4,000 churches were closing each year.
One congregation sits at the center of the documentary. Its attendance had fallen from about 900 people to 40.
The church becomes a case study in what happens when cultural pressure meets division inside the congregation.
“In addition to external cultural factors that affect all churches, this church is disintegrating from the inside from a variety of human storms.”
The film explores disputes among members, questions about the pastor and uncertainty about the church’s direction. It also follows a group of former members as they plan to regain control of the congregation.
Still, When God Left the Building is not simply an obituary for the American church. The documentary asks whether struggling congregations can rediscover their purpose. It also considers whether Christian community may take forms that look different from the institutions Americans have long associated with church.
“By the end of the film, viewers will experience hope and a refreshing glimpse into how faith may be pursued in the future.”