In this episode, Adam and Ty sit down with Rebecca McLaughlin to discuss her new book How Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life, which explores how regular involvement in a local church is linked with mental, physical, moral, and spiritual flourishing. Drawing on rigorous academic research (especially from Harvard School of Public Health), Rebecca outlines compelling findings: weekly attendance correlates with lower rates of depression, extended life expectancy, reduced deaths of despair, and more. She also addresses objections (such as church‑hurt, abuse, selection bias) and pivots to a theological framing: the church is more than an event — it is family.In This Episode01:00 – “church is our family”06:00 – Why this topic? The research behind the book08:00 – Stats: church attendance & health outcomes11:00 – Not prosperity gospel: deeper than health hacks12:00 – What about unhealthy churches?14:00 – Data controls: not just correlation16:00 – Theology: why worship matters18:00 – Church vs. self-optimization culture23:00 – Virtual vs. in-person: why weekly presence matters26:00 – Making church a real family29:00 – Marriage, singleness & spiritual kinship32:00 – Closing reflections & next stepsKey TakeawaysRegular attendance at church (once a week or more) is strongly correlated with improved mental health, longer life expectancy, and reduced risk of “deaths of despair.”The positive effect is not explained solely by social support.The church is not just “another activity” but a family.Making church family real may require simple but counter‑cultural practices.The research is not a guarantee of trouble‑free life or a health‑miracle; the gospel remains central — the church is for life in Christ, not just health benefits.For those who’ve been hurt in church: the invitation is not necessarily to abandon church, but to work toward healthy, safe, loving communities.Guest ResourcesHow Church Could Literally Save Your Life by Rebecca McLaughlinRebecca’s Website Confronting Christianity Podcast Follow Rebecca Follow Us!InstagramYoutube-- Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. If you would like to sponsor this show, email [email protected]

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