Can a New Legal Strategy Rescue Churches from Progressive Takeover?
Pastor's Notes for June 24, 2025
Can a New Legal Strategy Rescue Churches from Progressive Takeover?
America’s historic churches, once vibrant with gospel truth, are being repurposed into housing projects and mosques, their endowments hijacked for progressive causes. On Theology Pugcast, Episode 346, I join C.R. Wiley, Tom Price, and Glenn Sunshine to reveal “Project Return”—a bold mission to reclaim these sacred spaces. From my 355-year-old Connecticut church to the woke drift in the Episcopal Church, I expose how mainline denominations have abandoned their roots.
My strategy? A litigation trust to challenge denominations for misusing donor funds, redirecting settlements to train orthodox pastors and revive struggling mainline congregations. Imagine historians, genealogists, and attorneys teaming up to enforce the original intent of centuries-old bequests—potentially unlocking millions to restore these churches.
With 58% of mainline Protestants voting conservative in 2024, the momentum is growing. Tune in to this fiery discussion with C.R. Wiley and the team to uncover the battle for America’s spiritual heritage—it’s a fight you won’t want to miss!
Key Points from the Podcast:
Historic Church Decline and Capture (00:04:30–00:06:00): I described how my church nearly closed in 2019 but was saved by a faithful remnant. I argue mainline denominations like the UCC and Episcopal Church have been captured by progressive elites, prioritizing social agendas over the gospel.
Woke Ideology’s Impact (00:11:30–00:13:00): After the 2015 Obergefell decision, I faced pressure in the Episcopal Church for refusing same-sex marriages, reflecting a broader shift toward critical race theory and gender ideology that alienated orthodox clergy.
Operation Reconquista (00:13:30–00:14:00): Inspired by Redeemed Zoomer, I joined a movement to retake Protestant denominations, advocating for strategic efforts to restore orthodoxy rather than abandoning these institutions.
Litigation Trust Proposal (00:23:42–00:27:00): I propose a litigation trust to enforce donor intent, challenging denominations to honor original bequests. Funds would support conservative seminarians and pastors to revive struggling churches.
Zombie Denominations and Property Scams (00:29:30–00:32:30): I warn of “zombie denominations” with vast endowments but no mission, citing Connecticut’s House Bill 5002, which could enable developers to convert church properties into housing, enriching denominations while erasing Christian heritage.
Conservative Voting Trends (00:43:12–00:44:00): Citing Ryan Burge, I note that 58% of mainline Protestants voted Republican in 2024, up from 49% in 2008, signaling potential grassroots support for reclaiming churches.
Young Men Seeking Tradition (00:44:30–00:45:30): Glenn Sunshine highlights a trend of young men returning to traditional, orthodox churches, drawn to their depth and historic roots, which could bolster Reconquista efforts.
Call to Action (00:56:33–00:57:00): I urge listeners to fight for America’s churches, emphasizing their role as cultural and spiritual landmarks. I seek funding and legal expertise to launch the litigation trust and invite support for my church in Woodbury, Connecticut.
Reconquista Comes Too Late for This Priest: The Rev. Ian Bruce Montgomery’s Urgent Plea
The Rev. Ian Bruce Montgomery, my friend and former colleague in the Episcopal Church, has shared a powerful Facebook post that demands attention. With piercing clarity, he exposes a concerning pattern in the Episcopal Church: a relentless campaign to silence conservative clergy who uphold traditional beliefs. His words reveal a crisis in mainline Protestantism, where ideological conformity trumps pastoral calling, and faithful priests are discarded without mercy.
Montgomery warns: “The disciplinary apparatus of the Church, especially Title IV, is being used not as a last resort for grievous offenses, but as a lever to force conformity.” This stark warning from Montgomery’s post underscores the misuse of the Church’s disciplinary canons to target traditionalists. Echoing my recent Theology Pugcast podcast discussion on the urgent need for reform in mainline Protestant churches, Montgomery’s critique highlights the need for creative solutions—such as a legal strategy rooted in donor intent—to restore theological integrity and reclaim the Church’s soul.
Key Points from Montgomery’s Post:
Targeting Conservative Clergy: Traditionalist priests face systematic persecution for defending orthodox beliefs and advocating reform.
Weaponizing Title IV: Bishops exploit disciplinary canons to purge conservatives, prioritizing ideology over justice.
Destroying Vocations: Faithful clergy endure unjust dismissals, leaving families and ministries shattered.
Exposing Hypocrisy: The Church mirrors secular cancel culture, betraying its gospel of grace.
Calling for Action: This fight seeks to preserve conservative voices and ensure theological diversity.
Montgomery’s post is essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of the Episcopal Church and mainline Protestantism. His courageous stand demands we confront this injustice and work to restore a Church that honors its heritage and its clergy. In response to these challenges, Montgomery announced he was received by the Anglican Church in America and is planting a new church in New York City, the Anglican Fellowship of Manhattan.
Read Montgomery’s post here: https://tinyurl.com/4k82vuf8.