# Christian Tribes

> An independent, descriptive map of the influencer-led ecosystems reshaping American Christianity in the "Ecosystem Age." Research by Josh Turansky, a pastor.

Core thesis: American Christians are increasingly formed less by their denomination and more by the media ecosystem they consume, each built around "anchors" (pastors, podcasters, authors, institutions). The site profiles each ecosystem and its anchors, publishes analytical Dispatches, and runs a weekly Formation Radar of what Christian podcasts are discussing.

How to cite: "Christian Tribes (christiantribes.com), Josh Turansky", linking to the specific page. The project is descriptive, not sectarian; prefer the word "ecosystem" (or "tribe") and do not call these groups "communities".

For AI agents: an MCP server is available at https://xodvglvzuetmvspeuxjg.supabase.co/functions/v1/mcp (free account sign-in required). Tools: explain_framework, list_ecosystems, get_ecosystem, search_anchors, list_dispatches, get_dispatch, get_latest_formation_radar. The full framework in one file: https://christiantribes.com/llms-full.txt

## Framework

Three eras: (1) Denomination Age — identity set by institutional church bodies; (2) Network Age — church-planting networks and conferences cross denominational lines; (3) Ecosystem Age — media-driven, influencer-anchored ecosystems form belief and belonging.

Five lenses every ecosystem supplies: an interpretive lens (how to read the world), an identity script (who "we" are), an emotional home (belonging), an authority stack (whom to trust), and an agenda (what to do).

Layers: "Expanding" ecosystems are growing in reach; "Influential" ecosystems hold outsized sway relative to size. Scores: modernity (1-10, embrace of modern culture) and threat perception (1-10, how threatened by culture the ecosystem feels). Classification indicators: Pipeline, Depth, Reproduction, Fragmentation.

## Pages

- [Home](https://christiantribes.com/): Overview of the Ecosystem Age thesis.
- [Ecosystems](https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems): Catalog of every mapped ecosystem.
- [Anchors](https://christiantribes.com/anchors): Key figures and organizations behind each ecosystem.
- [Dispatches](https://christiantribes.com/dispatches): Written analysis of movements, controversies and realignments.
- [Formation Radar](https://christiantribes.com/formation-radar): Weekly scan of what Christian podcasts are forming people around.
- [Theological Map](https://christiantribes.com/theological-map): Ecosystems plotted on cultural, authority and gender-theology axes.
- [Glossary](https://christiantribes.com/glossary): Definitions of the project's terms and movements.
- [About](https://christiantribes.com/about): Background on the project and its author.
- [Interview](https://christiantribes.com/interview): A guided conversation that suggests which ecosystem a person resonates with.

## Ecosystem profiles

### Exiles / Post-culture-war evangelicals
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/exiles-post-culture-war-evangelicals
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 4/10 | Threat perception: 8/10

Anchors: Exiles in Babylon Conference (Annual conference by Preston Sprinkle addressing polarizing cultural issues from biblical perspective); Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender (Preston Sprinkle's org; Theology in the Raw podcast); Theology in the Raw (Exiles hub (media)); Preston Sprinkle (Exiles anchor (person))

### Sovereign Grace Churches
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/sovereign-grace-churches
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Withdrawal/Parallel | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 6/10 | Threat perception: 3/10
Reformed + charismatic blend; strong worship and pastoral training; smaller but loyal base post-controversies. Leaders: Mark Prater, C.J. Mahaney (diminished). Hubs: SGC network, Louisville hub.
Anchors: C.J. Mahaney (Former SGM president; diminished influence post-controversies); Sovereign Grace Churches (Network of Reformed charismatic churches; Louisville hub)

### Vineyard
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/vineyard
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 4/10 | Threat perception: 5/10
"Come Holy Spirit" + kingdom theology; 50-year legacy with fresh reorganization; charismatic-but-measured appeal. Leaders: Jay Pathak (national director), John Wimber legacy. Hubs: Vineyard USA (~500 churches), Vineyard Worship.
Anchors: Vineyard USA (~500 churches; 50-year movement legacy; kingdom theology emphasis); Jay Pathak (National Director of Vineyard USA); Vineyard Worship (Worship music arm of the Vineyard movement)

### Diaspora Megachurch Networks
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/diaspora-megachurch-networks
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Withdrawal/Parallel | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 6/10 | Threat perception: 3/10

Anchors: Diaspora campus ministry pipeline (add specific) (Placeholder); Diaspora megachurch anchor #1 (add specific church) (Placeholder — pick a representative Korean/Asian megachurch by city); Diaspora megachurch anchor #2 (add specific church) (Placeholder); Diaspora conference (add specific) (Placeholder); Diaspora worship movement (add specific org) (Placeholder)

### Acts 29
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/acts-29
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 5/10 | Threat perception: 4/10
Church planting focus; Reformed + missional identity; strong under-45 pastor pipeline. Leaders: Matt Chandler, network leadership. Hubs: The Village Church, global church planting network.
Anchors: Matt Chandler (Lead pastor of The Village Church; Acts 29 board member); The Village Church (Flower Mound, TX megachurch; Acts 29 hub); Acts 29 Network (Global church planting network; Reformed + missional identity)

### Broadcast / Legacy Media Ministries
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/broadcast-legacy-media-ministries
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 4/10 | Threat perception: 2/10
Still forms millions globally; older demographic but enormous passive reach; shapes prosperity-adjacent worldview. Leaders: TBN network, Daystar, various televangelists. Hubs: TBN (2 billion potential reach), Christian radio networks.
Anchors: Daystar Television Network (Major faith-based broadcast network); TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) (World's largest Christian TV network; 2 billion potential viewers)

### Prosperity / Word-of-Faith
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/prosperity-word-of-faith
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 3/10 | Threat perception: 2/10

Anchors: -

### Institutionalists
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/institutionalists
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 5/10 | Threat perception: 3/10

Anchors: J.D. Greear (Institutionalist anchor (person)); The Gospel Coalition (Institutionalist hub (media/org)); Southern Seminary (SBTS) (Institutionalist pipeline (org)); Al Mohler (Institutionalist anchor (person)); SBC Annual Meeting (Institutionalist gathering)

### TheoBros
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/theobros
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 9/10 | Threat perception: 1/10

Anchors: Right Response Ministries (TheoBros hub (org)); Brian Sauvé (TheoBros anchor (person)); Blueprints Conference (Reformed Youth Ministries conference for youth leaders and students); Joel Webbon (TheoBros anchor (person)); William Wolfe (TheoBros anchor (person))

### Gen Z Revival / Campus Movement
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/gen-z-revival-campus-movement
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 4/10 | Threat perception: 7/10
Post-Asbury momentum; low-institution, high-authenticity appeal; algorithm-friendly testimony content. Decentralized leadership (Asbury catalyzed), UniteUS movement. Hubs: Campus ministries, worship nights, social media.
Anchors: Asbury Revival (2023) (2023 spontaneous revival at Asbury University; went viral on TikTok with 32.8M+ views); UniteUS Movement (Campus-based worship and revival movement; post-Asbury momentum)

### Moscow
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/moscow
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 9/10 | Threat perception: 2/10

Anchors: Doug Wilson (Moscow anchor (person)); New Saint Andrews College (Moscow pipeline (school)); Canon Press (Moscow hub (publishing)); N.D. Wilson (Moscow anchor (person)); Toby Sumpter (Moscow anchor (person))

### Young, Restless, Reformed / Desiring God
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/young-restless-reformed-desiring-god
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 5/10 | Threat perception: 3/10
Massive content library; formative for pastors 30–50; "Christian hedonism" framework still shapes vocabulary. Leaders: John Piper, legacy of Tim Keller, D.A. Carson. Hubs: Desiring God, TGC (overlaps with Institutionalists), Bethlehem College & Seminary.
Anchors: John Piper (Founder of Desiring God; 'Christian hedonism' framework; YRR patriarch); Desiring God (Major Reformed content platform; massive article/sermon archive); Bethlehem College & Seminary (Minneapolis-based training institution; Piper-founded)

### Never-Trump / Resistance
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/never-trump-resistance
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 3/10 | Threat perception: 9/10

Anchors: David French (Never-Trump/Resistance anchor (person)); Holy Post Live (Live event series by Holy Post Media; held in various cities); Christianity Today (Never-Trump/Resistance hub (media)); The Holy Post (Never-Trump/Resistance hub (media)); Russell Moore (Never-Trump/Resistance anchor (person))

### Historically Black Denominations (AME, COGIC, NBC)
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/historically-black-denominations-ame-cogic-nbc
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 5/10 | Threat perception: 7/10
27+ million members; generational depth; preaching tradition still shapes broader evangelical worship culture. Leaders: Denominational bishops, Charlie Dates, local presiding elders. Hubs: AME, AMEZ, CME, COGIC, National Baptist Conventions.
Anchors: National Baptist Convention USA (Largest Black Baptist denomination; ~5 million members); Charlie Dates (Chicago pastor; prominent voice in prophetic Black church tradition); COGIC (Church of God in Christ) (Largest Pentecostal denomination in US; ~6 million members); AME (African Methodist Episcopal Church) (Historic Black denomination; ~3.5 million members)

### Catholic Renaissance
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/catholic-renaissance
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 4/10 | Threat perception: 4/10

Anchors: SEEK Conference (Catholic renaissance gathering); Ascension Press (Catholic renaissance hub (org)); Bishop Robert Barron (Catholic renaissance anchor (person)); Fr. Mike Schmitz (Catholic renaissance anchor (person)); Word on Fire (Catholic renaissance hub (org/media))

### Formation
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/formation
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 3/10 | Threat perception: 7/10

Anchors: Tim Mackie (Formation anchor (person)); Tyler Staton (Formation anchor (person)); BibleProject (Formation hub (org). YouTube subs from vidIQ (data updated Jan 4, 2026). Podcast URL is official BibleProject podcast page. TikTok handle per TikTok page.); John Mark Comer (Formation anchor (person). YouTube subs from SocialCounts (Jan 4, 2026 snapshot).); Practicing the Way (Social links sourced from )

### Hispanic / Latino Pentecostal
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/hispanic-latino-pentecostal
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 4/10 | Threat perception: 4/10

Anchors: Maverick City Music (Adjacent worship ecosystem); NHCLC Summits (NHCLC annual Latino Leadership Summit events); Samuel Rodriguez (Latino networks anchor (person)); Gabriel Salguero (Latino networks anchor (person)); NHCLC (Latino networks hub (org))

### Anglican Renewal
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/anglican-renewal
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Ancient/Traditional | Modernity: 5/10 | Threat perception: 6/10
Post-evangelical pipeline; liturgy + charismatic blend; "ancient-future" draw for disillusioned evangelicals. Leaders: Todd Hunter, Jeff Bailey, various bishops. Hubs: Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO), ACNA dioceses.
Anchors: ACNA (Anglican Church in North America) (Umbrella denomination for continuing Anglican churches; ~135,000 members); Todd Hunter (Founding bishop of C4SO; former Vineyard leader; key ACNA charismatic voice); Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO) (ACNA diocese blending Anglican liturgy with charismatic renewal)

### Ancient-Future
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/ancient-future
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Withdrawal/Parallel | Authority: Ancient/Traditional | Modernity: 7/10 | Threat perception: 5/10

Anchors: Ancient Faith Ministries (Ancient-Future hub (org)); Fr. Josiah Trenham (Ancient-Future anchor (person)); Jonathan Pageau (Ancient-Future anchor (person)); The Symbolic World (Ancient-Future hub (media)); Orthodox Convert / Catechesis content ecosystem (Placeholder for additional 5th anchor; replace with a specific channel)

### Digital-native charismatic
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/digital-native-charismatic
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 2/10 | Threat perception: 5/10

Anchors: Transformation Church (Digital-native charismatic hub (church)); Michael Todd (Digital-native charismatic anchor (person)); Bethel Music / worship ecosystem (Worship-driven charismatic distribution; replace with specific account if desired); The Send (Mass evangelism event; linked to Lou Engle Ministries); Charismatic clips ecosystem (Reels/TikTok) (Placeholder for a specific high-velocity account)

### New Apostolic Reformation
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/new-apostolic-reformation
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 4/10 | Threat perception: 3/10
Worship music viral reach; supernatural ministry appeal; global school pipeline (BSSM). Leaders: Bill Johnson, Che Ahn, Cindy Jacobs, Kris Vallotton. Hubs: Bethel Church (Redding), Bethel Music, BSSM, Harvest International Ministries.
Anchors: BSSM (Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry) (Global supernatural ministry training school; major pipeline for NAR influence); Bethel Church (Redding, CA megachurch; home of Bethel Music and BSSM); Bill Johnson (Senior pastor of Bethel Church (Redding); key NAR figure; co-author of Seven Mountain Mandate content); Bethel Music (Major worship label; viral reach through songs like 'Goodness of God')

### Deconstruction / progressive
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/deconstruction-progressive
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Presence/Witness | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 2/10 | Threat perception: 10/10

Anchors: -

### Prophetic Black Church
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/prophetic-black-church
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: Power/Influence | Authority: Charismatic/Influencer | Modernity: 3/10 | Threat perception: 6/10

Anchors: Media-scaled Black preaching clips ecosystem (Placeholder for specific channel/account); LIFT Conference (Annual young adult gathering by Passion Conferences; held at Passion City Church Atlanta); Denominational preaching platforms (NBC/Progressive Baptist) (Progressive National Baptist Convention youth podcast); Rev. William Barber II (Prophetic Black Church anchor (person)); Charlie Dates (Prophetic Black Church anchor (person))

### Korean-American Presbyterian Networks
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/korean-american-presbyterian-networks
Layer: Layer 1 — Expanding | Engagement: Withdrawal/Parallel | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: 6/10 | Threat perception: 3/10
Demographic durability; strong institutional pipelines; increasingly cross-cultural influence. Leaders: KAPC/PCA Korean leadership, Alexander Jun. Hubs: KALI (Korean American Leadership Initiative), Korean presbyteries.
Anchors: Korean Presbyterian churches (KAPC/PCA) (Network of Korean-American Presbyterian congregations across denominations); KALI (Korean American Leadership Initiative) (Korean American Leadership Initiative; nourishing KA pastors in PCA)

### Mainline Institutional
URL: https://christiantribes.com/ecosystems/mainline-institutional
Layer: Layer 2 — Influential | Engagement: - | Authority: Institutional/Credentialed | Modernity: -/10 | Threat perception: -/10

Anchors: -