Why Progressive Christianity Still Needs Church, Worship, and Leadership

Insights from Pastor Clint Schneckloth

In progressive Christian circles, there's often a temptation to distance ourselves from traditional structures—worship, leadership, even core faith commitments. Many have been hurt by churches or disillusioned by rigid doctrines, leading to a widespread impulse to deconstruct everything that feels institutional.

But as Pastor

Clint Schnekloth

reminds us, in our eagerness to avoid past harms, we risk abandoning the very practices that sustain meaningful community, justice, and spiritual resilience.

Worship: More Than a Personal Escape

In many progressive spaces, worship is often seen as unnecessary—either a quaint ritual or a distraction from justice work. Clint challenges this perception, urging progressives to see worship not as self-centered spirituality but as communal care.

"You should show up to church for other people... Somebody has gone to church who's alone, who's recently divorced, who's traumatized... Go to church and care for somebody."

Worship isn’t just about personal fulfillment. It’s about showing up—week after week—not only before God but alongside neighbors who need presence, solidarity, and hope.

Faith Commitments: Openness Needs Rootedness

In striving for inclusivity, many progressive Christians risk drifting into theological vagueness. Clint emphasizes that true openness comes from being grounded:

"Progressive Christianity from my perspective is still grounded in the theological tradition that comes out of scripture and is centered in Christ."

For Clint, it’s precisely his security in Christ that allows him to engage the world openly and generously. Without that anchor, progressive communities risk losing both spiritual depth and identity.

Leadership: Ethical Authority Matters

Leadership is often viewed with suspicion in progressive spaces, equated with hierarchy and control. But Clint points out a reality we can’t ignore:

"It just is the case that leaders matter... You can either try to deny it or say leadership really has a kind of charism to it and handle that in as ethical a way as possible."

Rather than rejecting leadership, Clint models servant leadership—being present, approachable, and willing to do the unseen work. Leadership, when practiced ethically, doesn’t oppress—it empowers.

Place-Sharing: Rethinking Mission and Evangelism

Traditional evangelism carries baggage, especially in progressive contexts. Instead, Clint advocates for place-sharing—building relationships through shared life and mutual aid.

Describing his church’s partnership with Food Not Bombs, he highlights how mission can be reimagined:

"We’re building community together in these loosely affiliated ways that I think preach... It shapes the perception of what church can be."

Evangelism isn’t about conversion—it’s about embodying the gospel through solidarity and service.

Why the Church Still Matters

Clint is clear-eyed about the failures of the church, but he's equally passionate about its potential:

"I'm simply not willing to let the abuse of something disallow its proper use... Just because some people really abuse [church] doesn’t mean that church rightly organized and practiced isn’t one of the most impactful and powerful things in the world."

Rather than abandoning church altogether, Clint calls progressive Christians to reclaim it—reshaping it into a place of healing, justice, and spiritual grounding.

Reclaim, Don’t Reject

If progressive Christianity is to thrive, it must remain anchored in:

• Worship — as a rhythm of community and renewal

• Leadership — as ethical guidance and empowerment

• Faith commitments — as a source of identity and resilience

• Mission — as shared life, not recruitment

Deconstruction has its place—but so does faithful reconstruction. As Clint’s work reminds us, the answer isn’t to walk away from church, worship, or leadership, but to practice them better.