The Decline of Christian Churches

The reality that Christian churches/groups/denominations/etc. are losing members is a long-known fact. Despite the visibility, appeal, and popularity of such mega-churches as Willow Creek, Saddleback Valley, and Lakewood, there are fewer folks who are actively participating in the life of the Christian church.

For years, the more conservative wings of Christian life pointed to the more liberal wings as the problem. In the 20th century, there was even a book written explaining why the conservative churches were growing, certainly suggesting that, if all churches followed their example, all churches would be growing.

Now, however, we have to reconsider these assumptions. Recent news from the Southern Baptist Convention about declining baptisms and shrinking church rolls and from the Anglican Church of North America - the conservative response to the liberalization of the Episcopal Church - about actual church membership numbers seem to suggest that the decline has affected all parts of the Christian church.

This news led Diana Butler Bass to comment on the implications of the recent news. In the Progressive Revival blog on BeliefNet.com, she wrote:

The old accusation – and theological threat used by conservatives against mainline denominations – that the denominations have failed because they are too liberal – is now being proved false by both qualitative journalists and quantitative researchers. Almost all Christian institutions are experiencing slowing growth and/or membership declines. The only growing Christian churches in North America are "non-denominational," and those congregations are difficult to classify theologically because they are so diverse.

What is causing the erosion of Christianity in North America? Most North Americans look at Christianity – especially as embodied in religious institutions – and find it wanting. I suspect that Christianity is in decline because it appears both hypocritical and boring. Although young North Americans express deep longings for a loving, just, and peaceful world, they don't find an equal passion for transforming society in meaningful ways in most congregations. And, sadly, many churches simply lack the imagination and passion that many spiritual people are searching for. Folks aren't looking for answers nearly as much as they are trying to clarify their questions and are hungry for accepting communities in which to ask them.

If you think about it, mainline liberal churches embody a theological vision of God's reign that resonates with contemporary hopes for social transformation. But they often lack passion, acting on God's dream for the world in business-as-usual ways. Conservative churches are chock-full of passion. But they are often passionate about all the wrong stuff – like excluding people and supporting the military-and-economic status quo that is destroying the planet.

Perhaps North American Christians are smarter than anyone suspects – that we are looking for congregations, communities and denominations that put the pieces together – passionate, imaginative, open, justice-seeking, inclusive, and loving gatherings of faith that actually live, as Jimmy Carter put it, "the teachings of Jesus Christ." If progressive faith communities can be both – transformative and passionate – we may be better poised to reach a new generation than the "decline" bellyaching of recent decades suggests. With the waning of conservative churches, it may well be the historical moment for the rest of us to step up the spiritual plate.

Is your local church gaining or losing members? If it is gaining, are these transfers from other churches or "new converts"? Is the wider church body to which you are connected gaining or losing members? Do you describe your church as conservative or liberal? If it is losing members, why do you think that is happening? What can be done to reverse the trend?