I think one of the things that led to the decline of the mainline churches is that their leadership embraced diversity, particularly of sexual orientation, and a lot of people wouldn’t accept it and left. I have been blessed in the Lutheran church (ELCA) by gay and lesbian clergy and lay people sharing their gifts, but have had fellow congregants who have been very averse to their participation, not so much recently as in the period 10-20 years ago.
Full inclusion of gay and lesbian clergy definitely drove a lot of people away from the mainline churches. I personally do not consider that to be a bad thing. Full inclusion is an important part of faithful witness.
I wonder how many of those who left went to the so-called evangelical churches whose political activism has been trying to impose their bigotry on the country.
maybe after Tuesday I will feel differently....but right now there seems to be a dearth of mutual respect, esp if one is poor, not white , and/or female. ...that a major overhaul is needed is an understatement.
I’m reminded of Phyllis Tickle’s work in the same vein: Every 500 years or so, the Church reinvents itself, completely overhauls itself; and these reformations have always coincided with an expansion in communication (Roman roads, seagoing vessels, the printing press and now the internet). I kinda love that Christianity crumbles every time it’s exposed to a wide swath of new voices and experiences, and then remakes itself with those perspectives included.
I think all the mainline churches are in the same boat. I read a statistic in a book that I think said that half of the Episcopal churches could only afford part-time pastors in 2016. No idea what it's like now, but it certainly hasn't gotten any better.
I think one of the things that led to the decline of the mainline churches is that their leadership embraced diversity, particularly of sexual orientation, and a lot of people wouldn’t accept it and left. I have been blessed in the Lutheran church (ELCA) by gay and lesbian clergy and lay people sharing their gifts, but have had fellow congregants who have been very averse to their participation, not so much recently as in the period 10-20 years ago.
Full inclusion of gay and lesbian clergy definitely drove a lot of people away from the mainline churches. I personally do not consider that to be a bad thing. Full inclusion is an important part of faithful witness.
I wonder how many of those who left went to the so-called evangelical churches whose political activism has been trying to impose their bigotry on the country.
Probably a vast majority.
Heavy sigh
I know :-(
maybe after Tuesday I will feel differently....but right now there seems to be a dearth of mutual respect, esp if one is poor, not white , and/or female. ...that a major overhaul is needed is an understatement.
I totally agree.
I’m reminded of Phyllis Tickle’s work in the same vein: Every 500 years or so, the Church reinvents itself, completely overhauls itself; and these reformations have always coincided with an expansion in communication (Roman roads, seagoing vessels, the printing press and now the internet). I kinda love that Christianity crumbles every time it’s exposed to a wide swath of new voices and experiences, and then remakes itself with those perspectives included.
Right on schedule! Yes, the dynamic is quite fascinating.
Very thoughtful and informative.
I see the Lutheran Church in the same vein as the Presbyterian Church.
I think all the mainline churches are in the same boat. I read a statistic in a book that I think said that half of the Episcopal churches could only afford part-time pastors in 2016. No idea what it's like now, but it certainly hasn't gotten any better.