'Indy Timeline' of Upcoming Events Barna: The State of Mainline Denominational Churches
Ventura, CA - December 7, 2009
When Baby Boomers were born, the Protestant landscape of America was dominated by the six major mainline denominations. (Those bodies are typically considered to be the American Baptist Churches in the USA; the Episcopal Church; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Presbyterian Church (USA); the United Church of Christ; and the United Methodist Church.)
Since the 1950s, however, mainline churches have fallen on hard times, declining from more than 80,000 churches to about 72,000 today. The growth among evangelical and Pentecostal churches since the 1950s, combined with the shrinking of the mainline sector, has diminished mainline churches to just one-fifth of all Protestant congregations today. In the past fifty years, mainline church membership dropped by more than one-quarter to roughly 20 million people. Adult church attendance indicates that only 15% of all American adults associate with a mainline church these days.
A new report issued by The Barna Group focuses upon changes in the mainline churches during the past decade. The report examines shifts in both the adults who attend those churches and the pastors who lead them.
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posted by IndyChristian @ 6:20 AM
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Thanks for posting this. In the course of 3 years doing 'mobile' food pantry all around Indianapolis, here's what I have observed: More and more people are attracted to volunteer and to fellowship with ministries such as ours. This is not to say that we are better than others. It's a fact. For example, our last food pantry attracted 100+ volunteers. The FHL Food pantry surveys have recorded numerous of people wanting Bible study and wanting to volunteer.
We are averaging 2 salvations a week from our various outreaches. I am more convinced now that the 'Spiritual Demographics' is ever changing. As the Body of Christ, we need to continually ask the Lord to give us grace to hear His voice and to obey Him even if it does not make logical sense to us.
Sharing the 'FULL' Gospel...Proclamation and Demonstration. Not just preaching and learning but to actually experience the Bible in our lives. 'Don't just learn it...Experience it.' Don't just ask for miracles...be the miracles for others and for our city.'
Jesus presented the Gospel in its wholeness. Luke 10:8-9 (The Message), "When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, 'God's kingdom is right on your doorstep!'
Bill Johnson, the Sr. Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California wrote: “…it is imperative to accept and understand things without completely satisfying your intellect. Understanding is not required for obedience. Understanding usually unfolds in the experience.”
Amen !!!
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