The Church of the Brethren reported a 1.4 percent decrease in membership last year, to about 128,000. Membership fell by a similar percentage in 2005, the church said.Methodists and Presbyterians also reported losses.
There is lots of hand-wringing in the denomination about these numbers, and plenty of blame being thrown around especially from conservative churches who think its the liberals' fault. But the simple reality is we don't have enough churches where the people actually live today - in the cities. So it's no surprise we are losing members, and it isn't likely to change until we begin planting churches in urban areas.
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I think that the decline in Protestant Christian denominations is due to the fact that young adults thru aging boomers are very mistrustful of organized Christian religion and its tenants.
For many their only experienced with organized religion is what they remember as children and they are quick to say, "I don't want/need this and I don't want/need this for my kids."
Until we change our attitudes about what CHURCH means and how to be "Christian", the numbers in organized religion will continue to decline and we will become a world of non-communal seekers and spiritual beings all out their on our own individual journeys.
Many people just don't know how--or care to do the work it requires--to participate in a faith community anymore (whether that be marriage or church or whatever). anymore.
Western society is all about the individual and his/her personal choice. The respect and desire for communal learning, worship, service, and friendship seems to be on the decline. This is true in the secular world as well as the religious communities.
"I want my own individual flavor because it is the best flavor for me and I don't care what flavor you like. Because you are different from me, I will ingnore you at best or detest you at worst".
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