Juicy Ecumenism The Coming Collapse of the PC (USA)
By: IRD Staff July 24, 2013 The Presbyterian Church (USA) recently released the findings of its “ Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians 2011” (the report). More than 6,000 clergy and members of the PC (USA) were asked to participate in the study for a three-year period. The goal was to sketch a broad landscape of the denomination in demographic and theological terms. The report is available _here_ (http://www .pcusa.org/media/uploads/research/pdfs/presbyterian_panel_survey_fall_2011_religious_and_demographic_profile_of_presbyterians.pdf) in its entirety. In many respects the report is grim reading. In fact, it points to the coming collapse of the PC (USA)—demographic and theological realities will force the denomination to accept a new, diminished future. The report reveals, perhaps unsurprisingly, that the PC (USA) is old and white. 94% of the randomly selected members reported their race as “white or Caucasian,” as did the randomly selected Ruling Elders. Of clergy, 91% of pastors and 89% of specialized ministers (chaplains, professors, etc) reported their race as white. For all categories of respondent, more than 90% were born U.S. citizens. The study notes, most alarmingly, that the racial-ethnic makeup of the denomination has remained virtually unchanged in the last forty years. This discontinuity makes the future of the denomination untenable since it has not reached either immigrant communities or people of color in any meaningful way. While there are flickers of light in the 1001 New Worshipping Communities initiative, it seems to be rather too late for this to significantly offset coming losses. The denomination also continues to age. The median age of members rose from 60 to 63 between 2008 and 2011. That means that if you were to list the ages of each of the member respondents, half of them would be older than 63 and half younger. The number is similar—62—for ruling elders. The report also indicates that almost 50% of church members are not employed, while only 7% of members report being “full-time homemakers.” Could it be that almost half of our church members are retired? Perhaps the PC (USA) should be called the AARP at prayer? Pastor median age is 55 whereas for specialized ministers it is 57. As a point of comparison, the median age of the United States (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau) is 36.8, a significant difference. If we isolate for race and report only non-Hispanic whites, the median age is still only 42.3. This does not bode well for the future. Over the last forty years, the make up of our nation has changed considerably. That this change is all but absent in the profile of the PC (USA) suggests that it has been unable to effectively carry out the very essence of its stated mission—bearing witness to the kingdom of God in there here and now—which includes both ethnic and age diversity under the gospel. What does the report show us about the devotional practices of members and clergy of the PC (USA)? 80% of pastors reported praying privately “ daily/almost daily.” For members the number was less, 56%. It is, of course, difficult to discover a cause for this lack of attention to prayer. I’m sure there are numerous reasons, but it is alarming to think that one of the chief means of grace is so absent in the life of church members and even clergy. The church is also not attending well to Scripture. Only 39% of members report reading the Bible weekly. For ruling elders the number is higher—49%. This is a serious problem. Where professed Christians are failing in the practice of prayer and of reading the Scripture, we can be sure that a sense of “cheap grace” will also be present. Scripture and prayer—both individually and corporately—shape us to follow Christ. Where they are absent, or unattended to, other voices and influences will exert power to form us. This reality may contribute to the fact that 46% of members agree with the statement, “An individual should arrive at his or her own religious belief independent of any church.” At play here is an autonomous individualism that cheapens the value of community in the formation of Christians. It’s promising, however, that 76% of pastors disagreed with this statement although that number really ought to be higher. In terms of giving insight into the current battles raging within the PC (USA) and the exodus of evangelical churches, the report is quite helpful. Consider the following statement: “only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved.” Among pastors, 45% disagreed or strongly disagreed. 41% agreed or strongly agreed. Among our clergy, there is a clearly demonstrable variance about a fundamental tenet of Christian belief that is central to the mission of the church—the proclamation of the Gospel. Again, in terms of theological self-identification the report helpfully shows that pastors are split on how they identify themselves. 33% report that they are “very conservative or conservative” theologically. 33% report that they are moderate. 34% report that they are “very liberal or liberal.” That clergy leaders of the church express such fundamental disagreement suggests that the future of the PC (USA) as a single denomination is untenable. These beliefs are irreconcilable, which suggests that the best way forward is amicable separation or perhaps some degree of negotiated toleration of evangelical belief and practice in certain PC (USA) congregations. Such divisions often come to light while discussing the nature of marriage and the increased support for same sex marriage in parts of the country. Incidentally, the PC (USA) is smallest in states that have approved same sex marriage. It is largest in the south, where states have repeatedly defended traditional marriage. Interestingly, church members are less enthusiastic about the potential of same sex marriages in the church. Respondents were asked whether they favored the PC (USA) permitting pastors to officiate at such services where provided for by state law. Only 30% of members and 33% of ruling elders favored this. Only 44% of pastors favored it, and 56% of specialized ministers favored it. The narrative around the church’s discussions of same sex marriage has painted it as something supported by most and almost inevitable. This contention is demonstrably false. More likely is a mixture of ambivalence, ambiguity, and uncertainty in most that—when mixed with a healthy dose of culture’ s laissez-fare mentality—produces the absence of any firm conviction or resolve to doctrinal purity. God alone knows the future. Yet, in looking at the numbers there is much that ought to concern us about the future of the PC (USA). It is hard to imagine a future that does not include a significant diminishing of the cultural influence of the denomination. This influence has steadily been diminishing over the last forty years. What is different about the future as forecasted by extrapolating the data in the study is that it is no long clear that the denomination can exist in any form resembling the PC (USA) we have known till now. In fact, it is likely that tomorrow’s PC (USA) will be a fraction of its present size. It’s financial resources will be stretched the breaking point. Young clergy will suffer as the Board of Pensions is forced to materially alter the terms of their retirement and insurance packages. As older clergy retire it cannot be taken for granted that paid clergy will fill those vacant pulpits. Yet, the denomination seems to be incapable of taking the drastic steps required to alter this possible future. In the end, this is a failure both of theological integrity and of organizational leadership. ============================================== Selected Reader Comments As the line forms for the exit to the ECO and EPC denominations, one wonders how long before what is left of the PCUSA seeks merger with the denomination that has tread this path already, the United Church of Christ? --------------------------------------- As a communicant in another shrinking denomination, the Episcopal Church, I see that we are ahead of the point of no return. With the formation of the Anglican Church of North America, traditionalists as myself have someplace to go. BUT, I am not letting modernists tell me I am wrong and that they have the market on truth. One of the reasons that this is happening all across the Mainline’s is simple. Complacency. It’s the “My church is OK. It’s the crazies on the other side of town or the national church. My church is fine.” Only it is not. Until we who stay in our denominations get over the complacency, then this is the fate that awaits. --------------------------------------------- The idea that “only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved.” is not a core Christian teaching. Was Moses really a follower of Jesus? What the Church teaches is that no-one can be saved except through Christ. He taught that we might well be surprised by those he chooses as his own. I would expect the bulk of these to be followers of Christ, but the choice is Christ’s and not ours. The insinuation that strongly disagreeing with the statement means that you have strayed from orthodox thinking implies a narrow form of fundamentalism at odds with the historic church, and the teaching of Jesus. --------------------------------------------------- No prayer…no scripture reading…no denomination…and more sadly…no salvation. But…homosexual pastors. The death of a great denomination by it’s own hand. ---------------------------------------------------- 94% of the randomly selected members reported their race as “white or Caucasian,” I’m not sure this statistic bears any significance. I suspect that if you surveyed the AME churches you’d find that 99.9% of their members are black. Does that mean they are collapsing? Protestant churches of any race or ethnicity seem to be more segregated than society as a whole. As a Catholic in SE Texas where there’s a lot of cultural influence from black Louisiana and Latin America, I find the segregation in protestant churches peculiar, but I think you may be reading too much into the race angle. ----------------------------------------------------- “Yet, the denomination seems to be incapable of taking the drastic steps required to alter this possible future” Such as what? The fact that he makes it sound as if there are clear answers that people might agree on without suggesting what they may be is disingenuous. The sad fact is Protestants made the decision 500 years ago that they could decide completely on their own what constitutes Christian truth. Once you’ve made that decision, I’m not sure how you can survive in a culture that has largely rejected Christianity. There really is nothing to prevent Protestants from over time again “changing” Christian truth. ------------------------------------------------------- If you protestants keep splitting up you will eventually arrive at a “ church of one” for each of you. ------------------------------------------------- “Can only followers of Christ be saved?” is a poorly worded question. Is the man (David) who wrote the words “The Lord is my shepherd…” not saved? How about Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Isaiah, Daniel, and all of the people of God we read about in the Old Testament? How is a miscarried or stillborn child ever a follower of Christ? Are they thus not saved? I have sat in hospital rooms with parents and grandparents after stillbirths and miscarriages. I know what I said to them. What did you say to the people you ministered to in those situations? ------------------------ Sad to see acceptance embracing and promotion of sin so rampant in the ecclesiastical communities. Priests and pastors simply are not preaching on the reality of sin and Hell, a sin of omission. Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone; but that does not limit the merits of Jesus’ sacrifice and Resurrection only to those coming after Him in history. God is not bound by time. Jesus opened the gates of Heaven and “led a host of captives” Eph 4:8-10 which might have included the souls of the righteous like Abraham, Moses and David. Revelation says the abode of the dead (Sheol or Hades) will be destroyed leaving only two ultimate destinations: Heaven or Hell. Let Jesus Christ reign – Jesus I trust in --------------------- “An individual should arrive at his or her own religious belief independent of any church.” This seems inevitable given the differences shown within the clergy as evidenced by the statistics in the article. Personally, I struggle to participate in our own church’s organized activities as I see more and more of the clergy’s leadership working hard to push our church more and more towards its own liberal leanings. It’s very disturbing personally. The PCUSA has lost the feel for its members, most of whom belong to the larger denomination solely because of the individual’s local church community. And, yet, the church leadership continues to pursue its own initiatives regardless of the individual churches. One can tout the democratic process within the GA but I struggle to see where individual congregations are properly represented. The membership is much like the US voting population in that ambivalence, which has been creeping, is now becoming much more pervasive. At the political level, the deck is so stacked against challengers. It makes it so difficult for the voters to have an actual voice. It’s much the same in the PCUSA with movements in directions that many in within the membership would disagree but feel helpless to address. They remain at the church, not because of a feeling of connectivity with others within our denomination (as the ministers seem to profess). Rather, they remain because of the local relationships and the connectivity that exists at that level. Most would be offended if they were aware of the various issues with which the larger church is involved. I suspect, too, that they remain as they are aware of problems within other churches/denominations. It’s a shame to sit here on a Saturday evening and discuss whether we are going to church tomorrow not because of other pressing plans but because growing ambivalence and apathy. It’s no wonder that more and more individuals are stating that they are pursuing their own personal avenues. It would appear to be logical avenue for those who struggle with their own beliefs and have diminishing faith in the leadership to represent them. ------------------------- A rough paraphrase of this article might be “Our religion is not really important to us, come join us.” Not hard to understand why that message doesn’t resonate. -- -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community" group. 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