In this episode of The Outpost Podcast, Matt Dooley and Demario Carter dive into the decline of modern institutional religion and explore a more authentic, community-based model for the church.

The Crisis of the Modern Church

The discussion begins with startling statistics showing a sharp decline in church membership, dropping from 70% in 1999 to 47% in 2020 [02:01]. Many people, particularly the younger generation, are disassociating from denominations due to:

  • Hypocrisy and Scandals: High-profile cases of misconduct and corruption among leadership [06:20].

  • Political Polarization: Disillusionment with the church’s heavy involvement in partisan politics [09:46].

  • Lack of Engagement: Feeling like a “cog in the machine” or a passive consumer rather than an active member [11:39].

The “Business” of Religion

Matt and Deario critique the “corporate model” of the modern church, which often mirrors large multinational companies focused on revenue and numbers [22:07]. They reveal staggering revenue figures for top denominations, noting that while some good is done through disaster relief, much of the wealth is tied up in bureaucracy and top-down hierarchies [26:04, 31:35].

A Return to the Biblical Model

The podcast explores the original meaning of “church”—the ekklesia, or the “called-out ones” [39:20]. They argue that true church isn’t a building or a weekly ritual, but a family and a body where Christ is the head [46:55, 51:37].

  • The Royal Priesthood: Every believer is called to be part of the “royal priesthood,” using their unique gifts to serve rather than relying solely on professionalized, educated “experts” [01:12:14].

  • Ministry as Service: Reclaiming the definition of a minister as a “servant” (Matthew 20:26-28), starting within one’s own home and family [01:21:22, 01:24:25].

The Outpost Model in Arkansas

The hosts share their experience building a Christ-centered community in rural Arkansas. This model emphasizes:

  • Organic Growth: Moving forward by faith and waiting on God’s providence rather than forcing institutional plans [58:22, 01:04:41].

  • Economic Independence: Encouraging families to have their own stewardships, such as small businesses or farms, while living in close-knit fellowship [01:36:14, 01:44:07].

  • Authentic Relationships: Moving beyond “one day a week” interactions to a daily life shared with other believers [01:08:54].

Conclusion

The podcast concludes by encouraging listeners to pray and seek God’s voice concerning their own calling [01:45:21]. The goal isn’t just to leave a system, but to be led into a deeper, family-oriented relationship with the body of Christ [01:47:09].