Thursday, March 16

The Future of Houses of Worship
The decline of organized religion and the shrinking size of local congregations means that tens of thousands of church buildings will likely be sold off in the coming decades as churches close or downsize. What will happen to those buildings, which are likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars? Some religious leaders are beginning to think proactively about how those properties are used, rather than waiting till the close.

• Moderator: Bob Smietana, Religion News Service

• Rev. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Emory Fellowship

• Rev. Dr. Rochelle Stackhouse, Partners for Sacred Spaces

• Rev. Mark Elsdon, Rooted Good

• Max L. Kleinman, Jewish Community Legacy Project

Engaged Spirituality: Inspiration and Resilience sponsored by the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
Over the past 4 years, journalists and researchers have produced more than 100 stories of spiritually engaged humanitarians through a joint journalism/academic project at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture (CRCC) at the University of Southern California. Over the course of RNA’s pre-programming, researchers and journalists will share what they have learned as part of “Spiritual Exemplars: A Global Project on Engaged Spirituality.” 

The Heart of Humanitarians: What We Learned About “Spiritual Exemplars” sponsored by the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
CRCC’s research team will share how we defined “spiritual exemplars” and what we are learning about such individuals. What spiritual practices help them persevere in the face of great challenges? What are the shadow sides of humanitarianism? If exemplars are people that we admire and emulate, what can we learn from them as we confront issues from poverty to climate change to war?  

Report Back: Journalists Collaborating with Researchers Tell Good Stories sponsored by the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
CRCC chose about 30 journalists from an applicant pool of more than 350 to report on spiritually engaged humanitarians across the world. In this session, the fellows report back to their colleagues about what they learned about the practice of journalism, how to cover humanitarianism, and spirituality itself.

Praying and Playing: The Role of Sports in Religion
Religion and sports are cultural touchstones and they often mix on and off the field occasionally stirring controversy. Should athletes be allowed to pray on the field? What do we make of controversies surrounding athletes being permitted to wear hijabs, turbans or yarmulkes in a sporting field or arena? This panel will examine some of the most debated issues and questions around religion and sports, and how journalists cover them.

• Moderator: Holly Meyer, Associated Press

• Zainab Chaudry, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Maryland chapter

• Jolee Paden, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

• Simran Jeet Singh, Aspen Institute

• Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News

Is Christianity on the Decline? Pew Research Center Takes a Look at the Numbers
Last year, Pew Research Center released projections for the religious makeup of the United States. If recent trends in religious switching continue, Christians could make up less than half of the U.S. population within a few decades. But demography is not destiny when human choices are involved. Alan Cooperman, director of religion research at Pew Research Center, will discuss several scenarios, some of which are unrealistic but illuminating. For example, what would happen if there were no more religious switching? What would happen if religious groups had identical birth rates? What if there were a complete halt to immigration?

A is for Antisemitism: Why is Anti-Jewish Hatred Proliferating on College Campuses?
The subject is antisemitism on college and university campuses. We'll discuss the extent of the problem (what it is and what it isn't), the causes of the problem (what they are), and, if not solutions, then strategies to address the problem (and how one group has applied them on campuses for 40 years).

• Moderator: Dave Schechter, freelance

• Arno Rosenfeld, The Forward

• Cherie Brown, National Coalition Building Institute

• Naomi Ravick, American Jewish Committee

Welcome Reception & (Not-So) Late Night Provocations
As part of this year's Welcome Reception, we'll be trying something new called (Not-So) Late Night Provocations! Provocations are a 5-7 minute talks where you can say something challenging, candid, heartfelt, satirical, potent, or necessary to all of your colleagues on the religion beat. What does our community need to hear, right now? How can we collaborate with one another? What can we do differently? And how can we grow our field? So grab a snack and a drink, get cozy, and listen to some of your colleagues share some of their deepest thoughts!

• Moderator: Sarah Ventre, investigative audio journalist

• Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News

• Holly Meyer, Associated Press

• Bob Smietana, Religion News Service

• Deepa Bharath, Associated Press

• Kimberly Winston, freelance religion journalist

Friday, March 17

Breakfast sponsored by network exhibitors

30 Years After the Waco Siege
Thirty years ago, the Branch Davidian community was under siege at the Mount Carmel Center, just outside of Waco, Texas. This was one of the largest and most deadly conflicts between a religious group and the federal government in modern American history, and ended with the death of 86 people, half of whom were children. Three decades later, what is the legacy of this tragedy? And how has it shaped our cultural understanding of religion, extremism, and the responsibilities of our government and civic institutions?

• Moderator: Sarah Ventre, investigative audio journalist

• Catherine Wessinger, Loyola University New Orleans

• David Thibodeau, former Branch Davidian

A Conversation about Religion & Innovation sponsored by the Templeton Religion Trust
When we hear the word "religion," many often think of dusty texts and static, dogmatic ideas. Like a typewriter, religion can feel like something that's outlived its usefulness. But Sir John Templeton believed spiritual texts alone were not enough ... but that religious innovation comes through empirical discovery. He felt we know only a tiny fraction of the spiritual realm that surrounds us. And that, rather than being stuck in the past, religion can be adaptive and vibrant, driving human flourishing, toward a better future.

• Moderator: Kimon Sargeant, Templeton Religion Trust

• Richard Flory, Center for Religion and Civic Culture as USC

• Tina Ramirez, Hardwired Global

• Brandon Vaidyanathan, The Catholic University of America

• Jonathan Evans, Pew Research Center

Faith Facts: A New Resource for Journalists sponsored by 1st Amendment Partnerships
Faith Facts exists to provide reporters, scholars and anyone interested, easily accessible data and news about the impact of religion in the U.S.  The data relates to a wide range of societal issues, such as criminal justice, immigration, healthcare, and disaster relief. Dr. Ryan Burge, political scientist, and new director of research for Faith Facts, will give a short presentation about the need for providing statistics and studies in a way that is relevant and useful, so that it can serve as a resource.

Perspectives on Indigenous Spirituality
Panelists examine how Indigenous spirituality and Native people's right to practice their religion as well as the battles around the country to protect millennia-old sacred sites and practices. How can mainstream media better cover indigenous spirituality and issues around Native spiritual practices? How can non-Native people better understand how to approach Indigenous spirituality?

• Moderator: Patty Talahongva, multimedia journalist

• Morgan Saunders, Native American Rights Fund

• Acee Agoyo, Indianz.com

• Mary Annette Pember, ICT News

The Future of Christian Nationalism
Many Americans including leaders of Christian churches who have pushed back against Christian nationalism calling it a danger to democracy. However, a growing number of religious and political leaders are embracing the "Christian nationalist label" disputing the idea that the nation's founders wanted the separation of church and state. What is the future of Christian nationalism and those who espouse it, particularly looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election?

• Moderator: Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service

• Mark David Hall, George Fox University

• Sarah Posner, investigative journalist

• Irfan Nooruddin, Georgetown University

Interfaith-ish Live!
Pop culture and religious literacy go head to head in an hour of irreverent inter-religious interlocution! Featuring some very accomplished media professionals, and the host of the second-most popular DC area radio show with 'interfaith' in its title.

• Moderator: Jack Gordon, Interfaith-ish

• Ambereen Khan, Inspired

• Sarah Ventre, investigative audio journalist

• Deepa Bharath, Associated Press

Dinner to welcome new members & first-time attendees

Saturday, March 18

Faith & Media: A Connection That Can Change the World
When faith and media are disconnected from each other, the negative effects on society are significant — from misrepresentation to polarization. The world is waiting for us to do better. Aaron Sherinian, of the Faith & Media Initiative, shares exclusive data and insights illuminating opportunities to work together to build a more cohesive, connected, compassionate world.

Roe v. Wade: The Next Chapter
No one in the battle over women’s reproductive rights hung up their gloves after SCOTUS overturned Roe. v. Wade. The action has simply moved — but to where? Our panel — which includes activists, a consultant and an academic — will tell use where to look for interesting stories, new voices and trends among faith-based groups on both sides of the issue.

• Moderator: Kimberly Winston, freelance religion reporter

• Lauren McAfee, Stand for Life

• Sofi Hersher Andorksy, Grand View Strategies

• Chelsey Youman, Human Coalition

• Tricia Bruce, University of Notre Dame’s Center for the Study of Religion and Society

Video Journalism: Best Practices
How can print journalists best collaborate with video journalists to tell resonant stories? What tips and tools can journalists use when asked to shoot photos or videos on their own? Our panel reflects on the successes and pitfalls to creating engaging stories that translate from written word to visual media.

• Moderator: Kim Lawton, Kim Lawton Media LLC

• Jessie Wardarski, Associated Press

• Lauren Knapp, The E.W. Scripps Company

Boxed lunch pickup

Field Trip: “Spirit in the Dark” exhibit at the National Museum of African American History & Culture

RNA members meeting

Closing celebration sponsored by Religion News Foundation