Denominations appear to have fallen on difficult times. Theological controversies over core Christian beliefs have weakened some denominations. Others have succumbed to classic liberalism. A handful of denominations have reaffirmed their commitment to theological orthodoxy, but even many once-growing conservative denominations have experienced difficult days. All in all, membership in 23 of the 25 largest Christian denominations is declining (the exceptions being the Assemblies of God and the Church of God).
The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) found that the percentage of Americans who self-identify as Christians decreased from 86 percent in a 1990 study to 76 percent in 2008. Much of the loss does seem located in large mainline denominations. At the same time, the ARIS indicated that nondenominational churches have steadily grown since 2001””and that self-identified evangelicals have increased in number. But it seems that denominations have not shared in the growth.
According to many church leaders, denominations are not fading away””they are actually inhibiting growth. I have heard many pastors denounce denominations as hindering more than helping their churches’ mission. Others carp at wasteful spending, bureaucratic ineffectiveness, or structural redundancies; these objections seem to have gained adherents in an economic climate of pinching every penny. Loyalty to a denomination has declined and in some cases disappeared.
Meanwhile, many of the better-known churches in America today have no denominational affiliation….
This article is written with admirable clarity, makes its points well and supports its argument with a wealth of information. I was grateful for this model article of religious journalism. But I came away musing that it reflected throughout a Protestant perspective. Apart from a brief reference to Jim Belcher, there was little understanding of the Church itself as a sign to the world through the witness of its corporate life. Churches (in the sense of affiliations) were seen throughout as denominations.
Meanwhile, many of the better-known churches in America today have no denominational affiliation…., They are also theology lite.
With apologies to Monty Python, it all depends on the meaning of ‘life.’
#1 Hm, yes, I was hoping for a bit more on the Coptics and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church myself, but I digress.
Perhaps mainline denominational decline is the result of their forays into enviro-politics, gender-politics, socialist leanings, pro-abortion stances, and pacifism in the face of terrorist murders. I could be mistaken, but most of all of that has little or nothing to do with telling people about Jesus’ rescue plan for mankind and is wildly unpopular with half or more of the population.
Then there is the snobbery toward all the “lesser” Christians involved in the up and coming Churches…it’s hard to see how that could fail to win hearts and minds. /sarc Repent, the end is sneer!