The mission of American Reformer (a project that fancies itself the brains of a movement that seems to major in morphing and losing its mind) sounds tame and broad enough:
American Reformer’s mission is to promote a vigorous Christian approach to the cultural challenges of our day, rooted in the rich tradition of Protestant social and political thought. Focusing particularly on issues facing American Christians, we will seek to contribute to the reformation of Christian institutions that have become corrupted by false ideologies and practices…Our Reform work aims at reshaping important Christian institutions by partnering with their leaders and equipping them with the intellectual, strategic and network resources necessary to help their institutions remain faithful and flourish under current cultural conditions.
Based on American Reformer’s recent moves, operations, and acquired sub-brands, it seems quite obvious that the institutions in view include (but may not be limited to) denominations. The question for theologically conservative American protestants is, “Do you need or welcome the ‘help’ American Reformer offers to your denomination, seminary, or parachurch organization?”
Answering that question requires some idea of what American Reformer (AR) is. First, we can say that AR is a project of New Founding (NF), which, according to its website, includes “a select set of ventures, including a fund focused on early-stage startups and a real estate project focused on a new and aligned vision for what local life can mean.” So, as mentioned on the front page of their website, NF is 1) a venture capital fund, 2) a real estate project interested in turning undeveloped land into “rural towns and communities in the bucolic hills of the Eastern Highland Rim region of Tennessee and Kentucky,” and finally—hold onto your artisanal, locally-made hat because you are not going to believe this… 3) a podcast—all networks have podcasts in 2025. NF is either a network with funds, a fund with a network, or a well-funded network—you make the call after having done the reading of the little publicly available NF marketing material that exists. Fair warning going in: the material will be familiar if you are acquainted with pitches for schemes and pie hovering high in the sky above bucolic hills.
You’ll be shocked to learn that NF is not just a network, it’s also a coalition. Just as in the smarmy 1970s TV variety and talk show era when the surest way to garner a spot on the interview couch or variety show stage was to be a famous-for-being-famous actor-singer, nothing is thought to succeed like being multi-talented and attractive…or at least distinctive looking. What may be distinctive about NF (not to say shocking to Protestants with work ethics) is its for-profit character—a scent of money and a whiff of respectability. Read more»
Brad Isbell | “American Deformer? What (And Who) Does The Ecumenical Organization Want?” | July 10, 2025
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Brad Isbell
Brad Isbell is a ruling elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, TN, board member of More In The PCA, co-host of the Presbycast podcast, editorial member of Presbyterian Polity, and treasurer of the Heidelberg Reformation Association.
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