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Liberal Churches in Decline While Orthodox Ones Grow, Says Study of Protestants in Canada
Catholic Herald ^
| December 14, 2016
| N/A
Posted on 12/14/2016 3:50:52 PM PST by BlessedBeGod
Researchers looked at 22 Protestant churches in Canada
A study of Protestant churches in Canada has found that growing churches tend to be more orthodox, while shrinking ones are theologically liberal.
Terry Mattingly, author of the Get Religion blog, covered the findings of the study, which appeared in the peer-reviewed journal, Review of Religion Research.
The researchers, David Millard Haskell, Kevin N Flatt and Stephanie Burgoyne, looked at 22 mainline Protestant churches in Canada. Nine of the churches were growing in attendance, while 13 were declining. The researchers found that when other factors were controlled for, ”the theological conservatism of both attendees and clergy emerged as important factors in predicting church growth.”
In the growing churches, 93 per cent of clergy and 83 per cent of the congregation affirmed that Jesus rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb. In the declining churches, only 56 per cent of clergy and 67 per cent of the congregation affirmed this.
In growing congregations, all the clergy interviewed said it was crucial to encourage non-Christians to convert. In declining ones, only half the clergy agreed.
The study found that, in growing churches, pastors were even more orthodox than their congregations. In declining ones, the pastors were even more liberal.
Growing congregations were likely to be younger and have more children.
Haskell told Mattingly: “”If you believe that Jesus is THE path to the best life in this life, and eternal life in the next, then you’re going to practice your faith differently than someone who believes that all religions are basically the same. … As it turns out, doctrines really do have consequences.”
TOPICS: Mainline Protestant; Ministry/Outreach; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: canada; churches; protestant; protestants
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To: BlessedBeGod
Knock me over with a feather.
2
posted on
12/14/2016 3:55:00 PM PST
by
Mr. Lucky
To: BlessedBeGod
I have said to my Evangelical Co-workers from Holland, MI. That there is a revival coming to this Country. We have had a few in fhe past.
Hope to see the same in not only my RC Church, but all other faiths.
3
posted on
12/14/2016 3:57:38 PM PST
by
MotorCityBuck
( Keep the change, you filthy animal! ,)
To: KC_Lion
“Growing congregations were likely to be younger and have more children.”
(-:
4
posted on
12/14/2016 4:00:56 PM PST
by
MeganC
(Hate crime: The heinous act of disagreeing with a liberal.)
To: BlessedBeGod
In the growing churches, 93 per cent of clergy and 83 per cent of the congregation affirmed that Jesus rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb. In the declining churches, only 56 per cent of clergy and 67 per cent of the congregation affirmed this.
In growing congregations, all the clergy interviewed said it was crucial to encourage non-Christians to convert. In declining ones, only half the clergy agreed.
The study found that, in growing churches, pastors were even more orthodox than their congregations. In declining ones, the pastors were even more liberal.
5
posted on
12/14/2016 4:02:55 PM PST
by
Grampa Dave
(It's way past time to drain the 'not so intelligent' swamp... President Trump Disband the CIA!!!)
To: BlessedBeGod
6
posted on
12/14/2016 4:12:33 PM PST
by
Preston Manning
(When standing on the edge of a cliff, a "giant step forward" is NOT progress!)
To: BlessedBeGod
Attending a liberal church is like going to a restaurant that has no food.
7
posted on
12/14/2016 4:23:48 PM PST
by
lurk
(TEat)
To: BlessedBeGod
I wish the Pope would take note. The direction he’s trying to lead the Church in is a recipe for failure.
To: lurk
...or a restaurant with poison food.
9
posted on
12/14/2016 4:37:58 PM PST
by
Mr. Lucky
To: lurk
That’s a great way to put it.
To: BlessedBeGod
Not surprising. If you are going to be Christian then be Christian!
To: BlessedBeGod
In the growing churches, 93 per cent of clergy and 83 per cent of the congregation affirmed that Jesus rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb. In the declining churches, only 56 per cent of clergy and 67 per cent of the congregation affirmed this. What's the point in Jesus if He didn't rise from the dead???????????? anyone can die and stay dead.
12
posted on
12/14/2016 7:17:37 PM PST
by
terycarl
To: BlessedBeGod
13
posted on
12/14/2016 7:25:01 PM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: BlessedBeGod
Catholic orders of nuns that shed their habits and became social workers and parish employees are now sending out letters requesting donations to support their elderly and retired sisters which is most of them. Orthodox contemplative orders that retain the habit and the habits of old are full of young postulants and sisters and support their own retired and unwell.
14
posted on
12/14/2016 9:12:27 PM PST
by
arthurus
(Mrs Clinton is The Great ConPutin, himself, did it from his veryniver.)
To: BlessedBeGod
Catholic orders of nuns that shed their habits and became social workers and parish employees are now sending out letters requesting donations to support their elderly and retired sisters which is most of them. Orthodox contemplative orders that retain the habit and the habits of old are full of young postulants and sisters and support their own retired and unwell. Some of them have too many new members and have to ask for donations to expand their facilities.
15
posted on
12/14/2016 9:14:15 PM PST
by
arthurus
To: BlessedBeGod
In other words, conservative vs. liberal churches, pretty much the same terms.
16
posted on
12/15/2016 3:53:32 AM PST
by
Biggirl
("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
To: Unam Sanctam
I see this Pope stepping down in a year or two. He will be 80 in December.
17
posted on
12/15/2016 3:56:29 AM PST
by
Biggirl
("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
To: MotorCityBuck
The proof that a spiritual revival in the USA is coming is by the recent election of Donald J. Trump.
18
posted on
12/15/2016 4:00:12 AM PST
by
Biggirl
("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
To: MeganC
19
posted on
12/15/2016 5:39:29 AM PST
by
KC_Lion
("I'm a believer that you don't need a title, and you don't need an office to make a difference"~S.P.)
To: lurk
AMEN! PC Preachers, praise choruses, focus on youth, ignore your backbone of seniors. Openly admit LBGT as preachers and your church will fail.
My late pastor preached the WHOLE word of GOD, with a big emphasis on Salvation, Revelations and End Times. And you sang out of the hymn book. Put on Nativity plays. Not some praise chorus on a movie screen. This new one is PC. Makes you want to stay home and just read the Bible and listen to good old fashion hymns on Sunday.
36 days MERRY CHRISTMAS
President Trump
A Baby Changes Everything - Faith Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y0_wNPSOaw
20
posted on
12/15/2016 6:04:11 AM PST
by
GailA
(Ret. SCPO wife: Merry CHRISTmas, Happy Birthday JESUS CHRIST, suck it up buttercup you lost)
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