According to the report, nearly every denomination of the top 25 in America and Canada either declined or recorded no change in membership during the last year. Only 4 saw increases and 2 were Pentecostal denominations: Assemblies of God and Church of God of Cleveland, Tennessee.
The other 2 were the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses–two denominations which are not orthodox in their theology.
The report noted that: “Many churches are feeling the impact of the lifestyles of younger generations of church-goers — the ‘Gen X’ers’ or “Millenials’ in their 20s and 30s…” who seem to be making different choices than their parents.
The biggest surprise–the Roman Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist denominations saw their first declines ever.
Here’s another article claiming that research shows by 2050 only 10% of America will be attending churches.
Response: The declines that for a whole generation only affected the liberal mainline denominations are now being felt in evangelical and conservative churches also. Generational change is a major reason. Without a major revival, we can expect the decline to gain momentum in the years to come.
So far, Pentecostal and Charismatic churches seem to be holding their own.
However, the demographics that many church leaders were concerned about is now proving to be true. As the older generation dies off there are fewer in the younger Gen X and Milllenial group coming on-board to replace them. The American Church is now clearly in decline on many different levels. *Top
•Feed
Pingback: -NCC Church Membership Report for 2009: The Implications | APOLOGETICA