Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Posted on 02/15/2011 7:18:48 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Church membership for more than a third of the nation's largest churches took a hit last year while non-Orthodox Christian churches are on the rise, a new report on denominations finds.
The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's second largest denomination, reported a .42 percent decline in membership to 16,160,088 members, according to National Council of Churches' 2011 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches, released Monday.
Still dominating the list of the nation's top 25 mainline churches is the Catholic Church, which posted a .57 growth at 68.5 million members.
But a few church bodies, regarded as cults by some Christians, continue to increase in size.
Ranked 20th in size, the Jehovah’s Witnesses denomination reported a 4.37 percent gain in membership, with 1,162,686 members total. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, which didn't make the Top 25 list for at least the past two years, squeezed in the list this year in the 24th spot. The denomination – which observes the Sabbath on Saturdays instead of Sundays – now has 1,043,606 members, up 4.31 percent.
Also, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – also known as the Mormon Church – grew 1.42 percent to 6,058,907 members. Mormons are about 1.7 million members behind the 3rd largest denomination in the U.S. and Canada, the United Methodist Church, down 1.01 percent.
Overall, total church membership declined by 1.05 percent over 2010 to 145,838,339 members.
"The direction of membership (growth or decline) remains very stable," said the Yearbook's editor, the Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner.
"That is, churches which have been increasing in membership in recent years continue to grow and likewise, those churches which have been declining in recent years continue to decline."
Churches that grew since the 2010 Yearbook included two Pentecostal denominations, the Assemblies of God, up .52 percent to 2,914,669 members, and Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), up .38 percent to 1,076,254 members.
"Strong figures from the Assemblies of God and the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.) suggest an increase in the number of adherents to Pentecostal groups, though it is impossible to state unequivocally from this table since the other two charismatic churches in the ranking have not reported in some years," remarked Lindner.
Denominations counting the biggest losses in membership included United Church of Christ, down 2.83 percent to 1,080,199 members; the Presbyterian Church (USA), down 2.61 percent to 2,770,730 members; and the Episcopal Church, down 2.48 percent to 2,006,343 members.
Oddly, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., which has 1,010,000 members, reported a 59.60 percent decline in membership due in part to a new methodology of counting members.
Despite the declines, statistics in the report reflect "continued high overall church participation."
The 79th annual edition of the Yearbook reported on 227 national church bodies, representing over 163 million Americans. Figures in the 2011 edition represents about a two-year lag since membership figures are collected by the mainline churches in 2009 and submitted to the Yearbook in 2010.
Ten of the 25 largest churches, however, did not provide updated membership figures for this year's edition.
The largest 25 Churches (ranked by membership):
1. The Catholic Church, 68,503,456 members, up .57 percent.
2. Southern Baptist Convention, 16,160,088 members, down.42 percent.
3. The United Methodist Church, 7,774,931 members, down1.01 percent.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6,058,907 members, up 1.42 percent.
5. The Church of God in Christ, 5,499,875 members, no membership updates reported.
6. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc, 5,000,000 members, no membership updates reported.
7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 4,542,868 members, down1.96 percent.
8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., 3,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
9. Assemblies of God, 2,914,669 members, up .52 percent.
10. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2,770,730 members, down 2.61 percent.
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
12. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
13. The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), 2,312,111 members, down 1.08 percent.
14. The Episcopal Church, 2,006,343 members, down 2.48 percent.
15. Churches of Christ, 1,639,495 members, no membership updates reported.
16. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 1,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
17. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., 1,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
18. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1,400,000 members, no membership updates reported.
19. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., 1,310,505 members, down 1.55 percent.
20. Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1,162,686 members, up 4.37 percent.
21. United Church of Christ, 1,080,199 members, down 2.83 percent.
22. Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), 1,076,254 members, up .38 percent.
23. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, 1,071,616 members, no membership updates reported.
24. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1,043,606 members, up 4.31 percent.
25. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., 1,010,000 members, down 59.60 percent (due in part to a new methodology of counting members).
More here :
http://www.christianpost.com/news/jehovahs-witnesses-mormons-fastest-growing-churches-in-us-31266/
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing ‘Churches’ in U.S.
The two fastest-growing church bodies in the United States and Canada, according to a newly published report, are ones whose beliefs are known to conflict with traditional Christian teaching.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, regarded by many Christians as cults, reported the largest membership increases in a year, according to the National Council of Churches’ 2008 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches.
Although Jehovah’s Witnesses currently rank 25th in size with over 1.06 million members, they reported a 2.25 percent increase in membership since the publication of the 2007 Yearbook. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – also known as the Mormon church – grew 1.56 percent and is listed by the NCC as the fourth largest “church.”
Notably, however, both Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormon church are not accepted within many Christian circles as part of the larger Body of Christ over a number of controversial beliefs that the two religions hold. Identification of the former religion as Christian, among other controversies, is debated largely due to their rejection of the Trinity, which most Christians regard as a fundamental doctrine. Latter-day Saints, meanwhile, are often criticized for their belief in “divine” books of scripture, aside from the Bible, including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
Mormonism was formally listed under “cults and sects” by the Southern Baptist Convention – the largest Protestant denomination in the nation – but was more recently categorized among “newly developed religions” on the North American Mission Board apologetics page.
Other bodies in the newly published top 25 largest churches list that reported membership increases include The Catholic Church with a 0.87 percent increase; the Southern Baptist Convention with a 0.22 percent increase; the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church with a 0.21 percent rise; and the Assemblies of God with a 0.19 percent growth.
The greatest losses in membership were reported by The Episcopal Church, which dropped 4.15 percent in members, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which decreased by 2.36 percent. Both denominations are currently wracked by theological differences and the issue of homosexuality.
American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America also experienced large losses in membership, dropping 1.82 percent and 1.58 percent, respectively.
“Some will wish to argue that the slowing growth rate is evidence of an increasing secularization of American postmodern society,” said the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, editor of the Yearbook. “While such an explanation will satisfy some, caution in drawing such a conclusion is warranted.”
Lindner also observed that churches are feeling the impact of the lifestyles of Millenials – people in their 20s and 30s – who attend church but resist becoming members.
The United Methodist Church saw a 0.99 percent decrease but the mainline group remains the third largest church body with nearly 8 million members.
Only three of the top 10 largest churches are mainline Protestant churches; three of the top 25 are Pentecostal churches; and six of the top 15 are historic African American churches.
Largest 25 Churches (ranked by membership)
1. The Catholic Church – 67,515,016
2. Southern Baptist Convention – 16,306,246
3. The United Methodist Church – 7,995,456
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints –
5,779,316
5. The Church of God in Christ – 5,499,875
6. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. – 5,000,000
7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – 4,774,203
8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. – 3,500,000
9. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – 3,025,740
10. Assemblies of God – 2,836,174
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church – 2,500,000
12. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America – 2,500,000
13. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. – 2,500,000
14. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) – 2,417,997
15. Episcopal Church – 2,154,572
16. Churches of Christ – 1,639,495
17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America – 1,500,000
18. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. – 1,500,000
19. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church – 1,443,405
20. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. – 1,371,278
21. United Church of Christ – 1,218,541
22. Baptist Bible Fellowship International – 1,200,000
23. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ – 1,071,616
24. The Orthodox Church in America – 1,064,000
25. Jehovah’s Witnesses – 1,069,530
“2011 Church Membership: Southern Baptists Decline; Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons Increase “
better fix that...
2011 Church Membership: SOME Christian Denominations Decline; 2 Cults Inflate Numbers as Usual: Jehovah Witnesses & Mormons
As someone who was raised a Jehovah’s Witness I am stunned that a faith who, as a main tenant their belief, held that the “Great Tribulation” culminating in Armageddon would begin by 1994. I actually hold no ill will toward The Witnesses but one would think some common sense amongst their members might have kicked in.
I realize this is about “churches”, but how are the non-denoms like Calvary Chapel and Grace Chapel doing?
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Yet the compromising apostates in those denominations keep telling us that if we don't embrace abortion, evolution, sodomy, etc., then we won't be able to reach out and convert anyone. LOL.
Almost 30,000,000 Baptists if you combine all the Baptist threads on this list...
RE: 2 Cults Inflate Numbers as Usual: Jehovah Witnesses & Mormons
How do you know that ? Any reliable source for this?
Or Cowboy Church? There are a lot of strong, vibrant cowboy churches, small but growing. No bull!
IIRC, the Lutherans have lost members over this issue (ELCA vs. Missouri Synod), and that could work both ways.
RE: but how are the non-denoms like Calvary Chapel and Grace Chapel doing?
I believe the above survey only includes mainline denominations. It is hard to include non-demons because they are so many of them.
If we DID try to include them, they would be the FASTEST GROWING in the US.
See here :
Nondenominational Churches Become the Fastest Growing in the Country
EXCERPT :
According to the Baylor Survey on Religion, nondenominational churches now represent the second largest group of Protestant churches in America, and they are also the fastest growing.
More and more Christians choose a church not on the basis of its denomination, but on the basis of more practical matters. Is the nursery easy to find? Do I like the music? Are there support groups for those grappling with addiction?
This trend is a natural extension of the American evangelical experiment. After all, evangelicalism is about the fundamental message of Christianity—the evangel, the gospel, literally the “good news” of God’s kingdom arriving in Jesus Christ—not about denomination building.
The post-World War II generation of evangelicals was responding to congregations filled with what they considered spiritual deadness. People belonged to a church, but they seemed to have no emotional experience of Christianity inside the building. Revivalists watched as denominational bureaucracies grew larger, and churches shifted from sending missionaries to preach around the world to producing white papers on issues like energy policy.
SEE ALSO HERE :
THE STATE OF CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA
http://www.churchrequel.com/church_requel/2010/03/the-state-of-christianity-in-america.html
and here from the Wall Street Journal :
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703437304576120690548462776.html
A good question would be, What are they doing well that those with “common sense” are not?
My grandmother was a JW. She was convinced that Christ had come again in 1914. They keep changing their predictions as they fail to come true.
sorta like liberals, but I’ll grant them to be better people.
doesn’t the Bible have something to say about prophets whose predictions fail to materialize?
Jehovah’s Witnesses only count active members. So where is the numbers inflation?
"No bull!" LOL!
Thank you for the info., I didn’t mean for you to do all this work, I was just positing and using it as an impetus for discussion.
But it’s as I suspected, since they are basically independent, local and not nationwide, it’s tough to get an idea on how fast, how large they’re growing.
Thanks again, maybe next time I’ll take your screen name as an admonition to do just that when I have a question. ;^)
FRegards,
SZ
Re; mormons, none that I can direct you to, but having been a member, I can tell you that if a member does not drop membership (resign) from the LdS, they are kept on the rolls.
The local wards track attendance, and I believe that on average, attendance is running at about 50% [but that could be quite different at every location] of registered members.
We were persistently admonished to get the numbers up because the disbursements back to the wards depended on member activity/attendance.
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