SubscribeThis just may surprise you. It sure did me. With all the bad press and scandals going on in the Catholic Church who would have thought they would be growing, for any reason? Not only that, with the aggressive church planting efforts done by the Southern Baptist, doesn’t it take you by a bit of a surprise that they have experienced decline? This article is a bit dry but causes me to scratch my head and wonder what’s going on.
What do you think?
Andy
Catholics, Mormons, Assemblies of God are growing while the mainline churches report a continuing decline
New York, February 12, 2010 — The National Council of Churches’ 2010 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches reports membership gains in the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Assemblies of God, among others.
The 78th annual edition of the Yearbook also reports a continuing decline in membership of virtually all mainline denominations. And the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s second largest denomination and long a reliable generator of church growth, reported a decline in membership for the second year in a row, down 0.24 percent to 16,266,920.
The Catholic Church, the nation’s largest at more than 68 million members, also reported a slight membership loss in 2009 but rebounded this year with a robust growth of 1.49 percent.
The Latter-day Saints grew 1.71 percent to 5,873,408 members and the Assemblies of God grew 1.27 percent to 2,863,265 members, according to figures reported in the 2010 Yearbook.
Other churches that continued to post membership gains in 2010 are Jehovah’s Witnesses, up 2 percent to 1,092,169 members, and Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), up 1.76 percent to 1,053,642 members.
Churches reporting the highest membership losses are the Presbyterian Church (USA), down 3.28 percent to 2,941,412; American Baptist Churches in the USA, down 2 percent to 1,358,351; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, down 1.92 percent to 4,709,956 members.
Membership figures reported in the 2010 Yearbook were collected by the churches in 2008 and reported to the Yearbook in 2009.
However, eleven of the 25 largest churches did not report updated figures: the Church of God in Christ; the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; Churches of Christ; Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; Baptist Bible Fellowship International; and Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
Church financial trends are also reported in the Yearbook. The financial reporting in the 2010 Yearbook is based on the financial income reports of the 64 churches reporting. The almost 45 million members of these churches contributed almost $36 billion, showing a decrease in the total income to the churches of $26 million.
Information in the Yearbook is kept up to date in two regular electronic updates each year. Access to this Internet data is provided through a unique asscode printed inside the back cover.
Total church membership reported in the 2010 Yearbook is 147,384,631 members, up 0.49 percent over 2009.
The top 25 churches reported in the 2010 Yearbook are in order of size:
1. The Catholic Church, 68,115,001 members, up 1.49 percent.
2. Southern Baptist Convention,16,228,438 members, down 0.24percent.
3. The United Methodist Church, 7,853,987 members, down 0.98 percent.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5,974,041 members, up 1.71 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, 4,633,887 members, down1.62 percent.
8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., 3,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
9. Assemblies of God (ranked 10 last year), 2,899,702 members, up 1.27 percent.
10. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 1(ranked 9 last year), 2,844,952 members, down 3.28 percent.
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
11. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
11. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
14. The Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod (LCMS), 2,337,349 members, down 1.92 percent.
15. The Episcopal Church, 2,057,292 members, down 2.81 percent.
16. Churches of Christ, 1,639,495 members, no membership updates reported.
17. 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.
19. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1,400,000 members, members, no membership updates reported.
20. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., 1,331,127 members, down 2.00 percent.
21. Baptist Bible Fellowship International (ranked 22 last year), 1,200,000 members, no membership updates reported.
22. Jehovah’s Witnesses (ranked 23 last year) 1,114,009members, up 2.00 percent.
23. United Church of Christ (ranked 22 last year), 1,111,691 members, down 2.93 percent.
24. Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), (ranked 25 last year), 1,072,169 members, up 1.76 percent.
25. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (ranked 24 last year), 1,071,616 members, no membership updates reported.
The 2010 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches reports on 227 national church bodies. Statistics in the yearbook reflect “continued high overall church participation, and account for the religious affiliation of over 163 million Americans,” the editor reports.
OK…I’m interested in your comments. Any surprises here? Anyone want to comment on any of the stats of some of the denominations and what’s happening with them?
Andy
Clark
/ July 2, 2010It’s a head-scratcher, for sure. I can only look at the growth among cultic and heretical denominations and assume two things: 1) People have needs and mainstream churches are not meeting them, and 2) the signs Jesus talked about in Matthew 24 are being played out.
Personal observation: I have known and worked with many Mormons over the years. They are unfailingly polite, kind, and willing to help. They don’t wait for you to express a need; they observe it and pitch in to help. These are traits Christians should possess, but which many of us lack. We’re so fat and happy here in America, that many church-going Christians want for nothing, so we sit back and get spoon-fed while easily ignoring folks who need our help. This is something the Mormons do very well: help those in need. (Of course, there’s ALWAYS a quid pro quo involved – nothing a Mormon does for you, or that the LDS church does for one of its members, comes without strings). And when you receive help in troubled times, aren’t you more easily convinced that these are the kind of people you want to be around? That’s why Jesus commanded us to help those in need, because by meeting needs, hearts are changed.
Just theorizing here. Sorry, off on a tangent
Pastor Andy
/ July 2, 2010Thanks Clark. I have always wondered why cults grew and Bible believing churches struggled. But…I believe that you have it pegged. Cults seem to care…Christians don’t. We have gone into a professional mode within the church where most everything is done by paid staff and serving is a thing of the past, unless you want to be an usher or a parking lot greeter. So…its go to church, sit, listen then go home. There’s a lot more to the Christian life then that.
There is one major thing about this article that I’m waiting for someone to mention. To me…it’s huge. But I’ll wait and see if someone else mentions it.
Andy
Demetrius
/ July 3, 2010Andy,
We are finding that relational growth works best as well. While we are
growing- getting more families, young professionals, and college students- I
am finding that too many times Church growth literature espouses a position
that if a Church has the right program (or gimmick) that they will grow.
This type of faddish growth is not healthy, neither sustaining.
I have also found that most Church growth literature does not take into
consideration the place that the people are in life affects their commitment
to God as well. What do you think?
Pastor Andy
/ July 3, 2010I completely agree. If you recall I have always stressed one to one and small group discipleship. Even though our ministry produces materials, it’s not the material that is the focus of the discipleship…it’s the relationship built during the mentoring. Churches grow by reproduction and multiplication…plain and simple. Everything else is an inch deep. You can’t go and model a church after another church. Our ministry stresses principles….not programs. Programs try to fit everyone into a box, but principles allows a ministry to work with people, their need and help them grow. When people grow (especially in the Lord) then churches grow. Church growth as I see it has nothing to do with gimmicks and fads but everything to do with biblical principles and changed lives.
Barb
/ July 4, 2010My first thought when I started to read the article is that mega-churches such as The Rock, do not offer traditional membership so how are they counted? This is a big gap of non-denominational Christians falling off the charts. Even long ago when I attended the original Calvary Chapel with Mike McIntosh, the same rule applied. Just show up. The membership commitment is between you and God, the rest will fall in place as it should.
It looks like non-denominational churches are lumped into rank 25. with the Church of Christ which is a denomination and is also listed as 16. ‘Churches of Christ’ and 23. ‘United Church of Christ’. I don’t put much credence in this poll but I do agree with comments above regarding the ‘paid to serve’ as opposed to the ‘love to serve’ mentality.
Pastor Andy
/ July 4, 2010Hi Barb, and welcome to The Disciple Makers Blog. It’s nice to have you here.
In defense of the poll, what’s actually important to notice is that “non-denominational” churches are really not mentioned at all that I can see. Both the Churches of Christ and United Church of Christ are denominations and so the non-denoms have no place to fall in this article. They don’t even mention groups that are “church fellowships” but not denominational, such as the churches I have pastored. If they did they would have to show some growing statistics in many of them.
I honestly think that this is intentional by the National Council of Churches (which is mostly liberal groups of churches that are ecumenical and would push for a One World Church) would like to make us think that all denominations are in decline and are in bad shape. It’s always nice to show that you’re not the only one in bad shape. That way you have an excuse. This may be true as far as denominations are concerned, but certainly not true about churches in general and certainly not mega-churches…which by the way only makes up 2% of the 400,000 churches in America. In fact, other then the few mentioned in this poll only non-denominational churches are the ones growing. So, unless that’s understood by the reader, this poll can mislead.
The reality of this poll to me is that the old mainline churches are not cutting it anymore. They are too old school and set in their ways and many for the most part have turned from the life changing gospel of Christ to a social gospel. As Paul says, “they have a form of godliness but deny the power of it”. Of course this isn’t a one size fits all statement, but it is true about most.
What I have been waiting for someone to mention is, “why, with all the scandals in the Catholic Church….HOW IN THE WORLD COULD THEY POSSIBLY HAVE ANY GROWTH AT ALL?”
Come often Barb and as always your input is welcome.
Andy
Barb
/ July 4, 2010I agree about the Catholic Churches but there is a new wave of Catholicism that is less traditional and stresses grace and a more personal relationship with Jesus than I grew up with. I have friends that are members and they are true, saved believers with tremendous faith. They are still a little skewed in their prayers to Mary and the Saints and the power of the Pope, but the Catholic Church is way more alive that it ever used to be.
Daniel
/ July 5, 2010I believe the original article notated the growth of Catholics was in large part due to the flow of immigrants who where mostly Catholic. However, there was a minister on Glenn Beck the other day that said the churches that where growing were the ones who preach a more hardline view of gospel doctrine. Pastor John Hagee, also on Glenn Beck, said that to many churches are teaching a watered down message. He went on to say that if we are to prosper as a nation we must get back to the “Old Time Religion.” While I am not sure what to think personally, I am inclined to believe that the “Old time religion” had a bit more personal accountability involved. That is to say, that it was not enough to say, “I believe!” or “I have been saved!” They had to follow the scripture which says “That which you have seen me do, Go and do likewise.”
Pastor Andy
/ July 5, 2010Daniel,
I agree with you about America needing to return to it’s roots by way of the Old Time Religion at least in belief, not necessarily in style. As I work with churches I see many that are dying a slow death because the way they do things have never changed. When younger people attend those types of churches they tend to think that the church of today is really stuck in yesterday. They no longer see the church as relevant and essential for their lives. According to Thom Rainer’s book Essential Church when our youth go into college they don’t necessarily lose their faith as we think…they just don’t see the church as essential anymore to their life.
I tend to agree about immigrants being a possible reason for reported growth within the Catholic church but that’s misleading in regards to “all being well” in the church at large. I tend to think that the parish leaders are counting noses for the sake of numbers so that things don’t look so bad during this crisis period they are going through. The reality is that churches all over the country are closing causing people to have to go the the nearest Catholic church in another town. As I travel I see a number of empty RC churches vacant. Also according to futurechurch.org 27% of parishes do not have priests, not to mention that and there are more priests over 90 then there are under 30 in the United States.
Clark
/ July 9, 2010Interesting counterpoint, Andy. I’ve been at churches (and I know you have too!) where the answer to “Why does our congregation do ‘this’?” was “Because we’ve always done it that way.” This will send me off on a rabbit trail, but here I go…
A few years ago, Michael Eisner drew fire from Disney fans for undertaking an updating of the Disneyland parks in which many of the old attractions were either updated or replaced altogether. There was much gnashing of teeth by oldsters who didn’t like this at all. The comment Eisner made at the time was (paraphrasing from memory here) “We’re here to provide entertainment for everyone, not to be Nostalgialand for Boomers.”
I mention this because it seems that, often, older church members are so stuck in their comfortable groove that they discourage any change that would accommodate or attract younger members. And since church boards themselves are generally made up of older members, they tend to agree, at least secretly, with the bias against change. I feel that this is one reason why there are so many old churches with struggling or dwindling memberships – because the congregation has forgotten that their mission as believers is to recruit those who aren’t, instead of just riding the same old comfortable train.
Pastor Andy
/ July 9, 2010Thanks for your comment Clark. In regards to older people being in control of the decisions made in smaller churches…you are correct…for the most mart anyway. Most of those older timer board member fear change because the way things are, are the way they like it. Another reason they buck changing is because they fear losing the older people of the church (especially if the worship music changes).
I have heard a number of times from such board members that “it’s the older people that pay the bills at the church”. But that is simply not true. Here are a couple of facts that I wish all board member of churches that resist changes would know.
1. The majority of a church’s funds come from middle age families from 30s – 50s. Mainly because they are working career people raising children and working overtime and all. Retired people are on fixed incomes and even if they give beyond a tithe, it often is not nearly as much as the family units from 30-55. So much for the older people being the ones paying the bills. These facts are mostly true in churches where pastors are willing to preach openly on tithing and offerings from the scriptures.
2. Most people over 50 years old in a church will not leave the church if things change. The reason is…it’s their church and it always will be. (Of course this isn’t everyone in that age range, but it’s true of most). In fact, they will stick it out and overlook some of the changing things they are not happy with. On the other hand…people under 50 will seldom stay very long with a church that isn’t willing to change. They are impatient with things that do not look like there is a future for growth in a church.
By the way. There are a number of deadly illnesses that will slowly kill a church. We try to help church leaders discover the ones they might have and heal them. One of them is, Lack of willingness to change”. Awake church…awake.
Andy