Chris: I would also like to see data on the next 10 or so. Some time-line information might also be helpful. That is, the situation now vs what it was a decade ago, or 20 years ago. The things David reported, about different ways that various groups estimate their numbers, is another worth knowing factor. Well, at least we have some data, and it is suggestive. Billy ===================================================== In a message dated 2/21/2010 9:58:50 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
>From personal experience I know that a couple of churches that showed the biggest decline are likely to show even more dramatic drops when updated data are available. They are 7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: 4.6 million, down 1.62 percent. 10. Presbyterian Church (USA): 2.8 million, down 3.3 percent. The primary reason for the drop in these churches is the liberalization of doctrine that many feel isn't consistent with biblical teachings. More conservative members of these denominations feel that the national organizations are establishing policies that stray from the Bible. Probably the most divisive issue is the ordination and installation into the pulpit of practicing homosexuals. Those who don't agree with the decisions of the (7) ELCA or (10) PCUSA are leaving in droves. This doesn't mean that they are abandoning Christianity; they are migrating to more conservative denominations. PCUSA churches and church members are switching to Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), ELCA churches are switching to Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) or Missouri Synod. Chris ____________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 10:35 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [RC] Christian Statistics RELIGION NEWS SERVICE / 2008 data --latest available figures just reelased TOP 10 CHURCH BODIES The 10 largest Christian bodies reported in the 2010 Yearbook: 1. The Catholic Church: 68.1 million, up 1.49 percent. 2. Southern Baptist Convention: 16.2 million, down 0.24 percent. 3. The United Methodist Church: 7.8 million (U.S.), down 0.98 percent. 4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 5.9 million (U.S.), up 1.71 percent. 5. The Church of God in Christ: 5.5 million, no change. 6. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc: 5 million, no change. 7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: 4.6 million, down 1.62 percent. 8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.: 3.5 million, no change. 9. Assemblies of God: 2.9 million, up 1.27 percent. 10. Presbyterian Church (USA): 2.8 million, down 3.3 percent. _______________________________________________ Centroids mailing list: [email protected] http://radicalcentrism.com/mailman/listinfo/centroids_radicalcentrism.com Archives at http://radicalcentrism.org/pipermail/centroids_radicalcentrism.com/
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