[Bonnie] Perry’s election comes at a time when the Episcopal Church in Michigan and other Episcopal dioceses across the U.S. are facing challenges with declining membership and Sunday attendance. The decline is echoed in other denominations as some among younger generations move away from organized religion.
The number of baptized members in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan plunged 46% from 29,769 in 2000 to about 16,000 today, according to statistics from the Episcopal Church.
Perry said declining membership is a “concern, it is a trend,” but added that there are ways to grow congregations and also serve regardless of membership trends.