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The collapsing pastor pipeline in Michigan

Denominations have fewer priests and pastors, but they're also seeing youth interest grow.

Religion

Fewer people want to become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pastors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/09/christian-pastors-democrats-elections" data-vars-content-id="136c1647-00e4-4001-8990-4daf0d1c07b0" data-vars-headline="The collapsing pastor pipeline in Michigan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/09/christian-pastors-democrats-elections" target="_self">pastors</a>, accelerating a leadership vacuum inside one of the country&#x27;s oldest civic institutions.Why it matters: As the pastor role becomes lower-paid, higher-risk and less trusted, the U.S. isn&#x27;t just losing clergy — it&#x27;s losing a key layer of local leadership.

Duggan exits governor race

The independent candidate's supporters are now up for grabs in one of the country's marquee governor's races.

News

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent campaign for governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/09/duggan-2026-michigan-election-chaos" data-vars-content-id="63917611-abb7-401f-bc2f-1e2d570534a9" data-vars-headline="Duggan exits governor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/09/duggan-2026-michigan-election-chaos" target="_self">independent campaign for governor</a> Thursday, telling supporters he no longer sees a viable path to victory as national political forces reshape Michigan&#x27;s race.Why it matters: Duggan built a broad coalition of labor groups, business leaders and elected officials from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="both parties" data-vars-click-url="https://mikeduggan.com/more-than-200-current-and-former-elected-officials-from-across-michigan-and-party-lines-endorse-mike-duggans-independent-bid-for-governor/" data-vars-content-id="63917611-abb7-401f-bc2f-1e2d570534a9" data-vars-headline="Duggan exits governor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mikeduggan.com/more-than-200-current-and-former-elected-officials-from-across-michigan-and-party-lines-endorse-mike-duggans-independent-bid-for-governor/" target="_blank">both parties</a> around his anti-partisanship message. Those supporters are now up for grabs in one of the country&#x27;s marquee governor&#x27;s races.

Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines

Years ago, the city passed on hosting as costs and demands loomed.

Detroit has built a reputation for landing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major sports events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/04/26/scenes-from-a-sports-centric-celebration-of-detroit-during-the-nfl-draft" data-vars-content-id="993bb656-32f7-47f3-8816-823feea51ce8" data-vars-headline="Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/04/26/scenes-from-a-sports-centric-celebration-of-detroit-during-the-nfl-draft" target="_self">major sports events</a>, but the city will be watching from the sidelines when the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/world-cup-us-soccer-growth" data-vars-content-id="993bb656-32f7-47f3-8816-823feea51ce8" data-vars-headline="Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/world-cup-us-soccer-growth" target="_self">World Cup</a> kicks off next month.The big picture: Detroit declined to pursue becoming a host city during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2017 bidding process" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitsports.org/news/2017/10/4/general-united-bid-committee-announces-detroit-as-potential-host-city-for-2026-fifa-world-cup.aspx" data-vars-content-id="993bb656-32f7-47f3-8816-823feea51ce8" data-vars-headline="Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitsports.org/news/2017/10/4/general-united-bid-committee-announces-detroit-as-potential-host-city-for-2026-fifa-world-cup.aspx" target="_blank">2017 bidding process</a>. One obstacle was FIFA&#x27;s requirement that Ford Field install natural grass, along with an irrigation and drainage system, local tourism officials say.

Things to do this Memorial Day weekend in Metro Detroit: May 22-25

Commemorate the holiday, dance the nights away and grab an elephant ear.

Things to Do

🕺 Dance the days and nights away (while staying hydrated!) as you celebrate Detroit&#x27;s techno legacy during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Movement music festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/20/movement-festival-guide-hart-plaza" data-vars-content-id="f6c2d3f0-4c46-4891-ac52-e68bb4b9484d" data-vars-headline="Things to do this Memorial Day weekend in Metro Detroit: May 22-25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/20/movement-festival-guide-hart-plaza" target="_self">Movement music festival</a>.<ul><li>1-day GA: $227.</li></ul>

Detroit archdiocese plans parish overhaul

Church leaders say declining attendance is forcing tough decisions.

The Catholic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Archdiocese of Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" data-vars-content-id="bb3aaee2-e3a0-4432-8aef-f23f70b3c261" data-vars-headline="Detroit archdiocese plans parish overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" target="_self">Archdiocese of Detroit</a> is preparing for major changes — including potentially ending weekend Masses at some parishes — as part of a two-year effort to &quot;right-size&quot; the archdiocese.Why it matters: The restructuring comes as Mass attendance has fallen 40% since 2011, the archdiocese faces $94 million in unfunded building repairs, and the number of priests is projected to shrink sharply over the next decade.

Detroit's religious and political legacy in the mayor's race

Opinions differ on whether a candidate's background as a pastor will help.

Politics

A prominent pastor&#x27;s presence in the Detroit mayor&#x27;s race is reigniting conversations about melding faith and governance.Why it matters: Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black churches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/video/the-black-churchs-role-in-black-politics-elections-fb6kxk/" data-vars-content-id="93ab40e2-d8bb-4dfa-88c8-496a84f1e8dc" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s religious and political legacy in the mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/video/the-black-churchs-role-in-black-politics-elections-fb6kxk/" target="_blank">Black churches</a> and religious leaders have long played meaningful roles in politics and activism, from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Civil Rights Movement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/american-black-journal/the-black-church-role-in-the-1963-detroit-walk-to-freedom/" data-vars-content-id="93ab40e2-d8bb-4dfa-88c8-496a84f1e8dc" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s religious and political legacy in the mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/american-black-journal/the-black-church-role-in-the-1963-detroit-walk-to-freedom/" target="_blank">Civil Rights Movement</a>, on City Council in recent decades and to present day.

Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis

Francis' legacy is being memorialized at parishes across the region.

Religious leaders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-tributes-world-leaders" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-tributes-world-leaders" target="_self">across the world</a> and in Metro Detroit continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis at 88 on Easter Monday.The big picture: Francis&#x27; legacy is being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="memorialized" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/remembering-pope-francis" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/remembering-pope-francis" target="_blank">memorialized</a> at parishes across the region, including by the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit&#x27;s new archbishop, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edward Weisenburger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" target="_self">Edward Weisenburger</a>.

Study: Michigan is becoming less Christian

Fewer Michiganders will be observing Lent than a decade ago.

As Lent begins, fewer Michiganders will be observing it than a decade ago, according to a new Pew study.Why it matters: The increase in Michigan residents who don&#x27;t identify with any religion mirrors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a nationwide trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/us-christianity-decline-pew-study" data-vars-content-id="f94d44d7-83f8-4f56-b790-2173a4c19268" data-vars-headline="Study: Michigan is becoming less Christian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/us-christianity-decline-pew-study" target="_self">a nationwide trend</a>.

Detroit's Catholic leader replaced

Archbishop Allen Vigneron will be replaced by a bishop from Tucson.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, has resigned and will be replaced by a bishop coming from Tucson, Arizona.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vigneron" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/archbishop-allen-vigneron" data-vars-content-id="07b28a9f-a26e-438b-9920-934b0d9f602f" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Catholic leader replaced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/archbishop-allen-vigneron" target="_blank">Vigneron</a>, 76, has been in the post for 16 years, in charge of the churches and bishops encompassing around 900,000 Catholics in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="six counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/history-of-the-archdiocese#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20Archdiocese%20of%20Detroit,Clair%20and%20Wayne." data-vars-content-id="07b28a9f-a26e-438b-9920-934b0d9f602f" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Catholic leader replaced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/history-of-the-archdiocese#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20Archdiocese%20of%20Detroit,Clair%20and%20Wayne." target="_blank">six counties</a> around southeast Michigan.

Detroit's Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon

Episcopal leaders are seeing a surge of interest after Bishop Mariann Budde's sermon at the National Cathedral.

An Episcopal bishop&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sermon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/trump-immigration-religious-leaders-episcopal-catholic-churches" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/trump-immigration-religious-leaders-episcopal-catholic-churches" target="_self">sermon</a> at President Trump&#x27;s inauguration struck a nerve with onlookers across the country interested in &quot;the other Christians.&quot;The big picture: From Detroit to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/01/30/episcopal-church-trump-budde-sermon-utah" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/01/30/episcopal-church-trump-budde-sermon-utah" target="_self">Utah</a>, Episcopal leaders are seeing a surge of interest in the wake of Bishop Mariann Budde&#x27;s sermon last month, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="implored " data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-sermon-that-enraged-donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-sermon-that-enraged-donald-trump" target="_blank">implored </a>Trump to &quot;have mercy&quot; for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undocumented immigrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/30/detroit-braces-ice-enforcement-immigrants-trump" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/30/detroit-braces-ice-enforcement-immigrants-trump" target="_self">undocumented immigrants</a> and LGBTQ+ people.

Metro Detroit churches' acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous

More denominations are accepting, but the true number willing to perform marriages is unclear.

Overseeing same-sex marriages has gone from stunningly unique to commonplace for Bishop Bonnie Perry, the first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lesbian priest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/02/08/first-female-openly-lesbian-bishop-ordained-michigan-episcopal-diocese-bonnie-perry/4680863002/" data-vars-content-id="50263018-a881-479c-9ddb-25647e796af7" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit churches&#x27; acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/02/08/first-female-openly-lesbian-bishop-ordained-michigan-episcopal-diocese-bonnie-perry/4680863002/" target="_blank">lesbian priest</a> elected to oversee the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Episcopal Diocese of Michigan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edomi.org/bishopperry/" data-vars-content-id="50263018-a881-479c-9ddb-25647e796af7" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit churches&#x27; acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edomi.org/bishopperry/" target="_blank">Episcopal Diocese of Michigan</a>.Why it matters: Some Christian denominations have become increasingly accepting of same-sex marriages since they were federally legalized nearly a decade ago. But it remains unclear how many churches are willing to perform the ceremonies in Metro Detroit, according to experts and religious leaders interviewed by Axios.

Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history

From 1970s activism to same-sex marriage legalization in 2015.

As we examine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="same-sex marriage acceptance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/06/27/christianity-acceptance-of-same-sex-marriage-ambiguous" data-vars-content-id="688904ae-5c77-45ec-b10f-42b2609c7b31" data-vars-headline="Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/06/27/christianity-acceptance-of-same-sex-marriage-ambiguous" target="_self">same-sex marriage acceptance</a> in Christianity in Metro Detroit this Pride month, we&#x27;ve chosen several moments in local history that illustrate the changing relationship between LGBTQ+ communities and the church, featuring input from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Retzloff" data-vars-click-url="https://michiganlgbtqremember.com/842-2/" data-vars-content-id="688904ae-5c77-45ec-b10f-42b2609c7b31" data-vars-headline="Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://michiganlgbtqremember.com/842-2/" target="_blank">Tim Retzloff</a>, an LGBTQ+ historian and adjunct professor at MSU.We&#x27;re starting in the 1970s, the decade in which LGBTQ+ activism began to gain momentum in Michigan, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Michigan historical exhibit" data-vars-click-url="https://apps.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/lgbtheritage/1970" data-vars-content-id="688904ae-5c77-45ec-b10f-42b2609c7b31" data-vars-headline="Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apps.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/lgbtheritage/1970" target="_blank">University of Michigan historical exhibit</a>.

Most Michiganders don't attend religious services

Metro Detroit's attendance is slightly higher.

Those attending this year&#x27;s Easter services will be in the minority: A majority of Michigan adults don&#x27;t go to church or religious services, a new analysis of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Census data shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/household-pulse-survey.html" data-vars-content-id="42e8b026-40ef-4bc1-a386-8e6115761b62" data-vars-headline="Most Michiganders don&#x27;t attend religious services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/household-pulse-survey.html" target="_blank">U.S. Census data shows</a>.Why it matters: More than three-quarters of Americans say religion&#x27;s role in public life is shrinking, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/03/15/8-in-10-americans-say-religion-is-losing-influence-in-public-life/" data-vars-content-id="42e8b026-40ef-4bc1-a386-8e6115761b62" data-vars-headline="Most Michiganders don&#x27;t attend religious services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/03/15/8-in-10-americans-say-religion-is-losing-influence-in-public-life/" target="_blank">recent study</a> by Pew Research Center survey — the highest level since the group first started tracking such sentiment in 2001.

Axios Latino

A line chart shows changes in religious identification in Michigan from 2014 to 2024. The percentage of individuals who said they identify as Christian decreased from 70% to 61%. Meanwhile, the percentage who said they're unaffiliated increased from 24% to 31% during the same period.