TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE RAISED AS "CONVENTIONAL CHRISTIANS" HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH!!!!

New GOD BLOG from The Love Church Worldwide's News Service:
__________AUTHOR SAYS TWO-THIRDS OF CHRISTIANS RAISED IN "CONVENTIONAL CHURCHES" HAVE LEFT !!

Two-thirds of those born between 1946 and 1964 (those now aged 40 to 58) who were raised in the mainline Christian denominations (Methodist, Congregational/United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Episcopal, American Baptist and some Lutheran bodies) left the churches in which they were raised. Two-thirds of the largest generation this country had ever known left their families of faith. Since 1965, virtually all mainline Protestant denominations steadily have lost members and churches. Many who were raised in the Sunday schools and church youth groups of the '50s and '60s left these churches, never to return.

These were congregations and denominations that were open to science and said one could believe in God and learn from Darwin. These were groups that emphasized the place of reason in faith. They were in the forefront of the civil rights movement and gave a priority to civic involvement and social justice. They prized tolerance and respect for other religions. To be sure, they were not the only religious groups of which such things were true, but they were among the key markers and characteristics of mainline Christian churches.

Where did the lost generation go? Did they become conservative Christians? Some did, but not many. Most either became secular, without any religious identity or practice, or pursued their own, often individual, spiritual path. Scholars dubbed it "A Generation of Seekers." A core value for this generation is personal choice. There's a lot to be said for personal choice and finding one's own path. One of the things that cannot be said, however, for such values is that they sustain strong institutions. These are not the values of those who build or grow institutions.

In fact, many in this generation understood themselves, and not without reason, as anti-institutional. This is a corollary of the emphasis on personal choice. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'll do my own thing." It is true, of course, that any and all institutions are capable of corruption and of serving only themselves. It is also true, however, that institutions are the keepers of our shared memories and the carriers of our collective hopes." By Tony Robinson, a teacher, speaker and writer. He is the author of "Transforming Congregational Culture." He can be contacted at anthonybrobinson@comcast.net.

The Love Church Worldwide communion is a small denomination that was formed by dedicated, intelligent, and socially-conscious people who include some of those very same positive-thinkers who drifted away from the mainline denominations after they fearfully abandoned their franchises as forces for changing and healing our violent and often repressive world.

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Comments

[Amanda]

WowW That author sure was correct! When I felt a lack of nurturing in my home church (which happened to be Lutheran), I didn't rush off to a Southern Baptist congregation. I just melted into the bushes. Almost literally as I have found my nearby forest and pond train to be as majestic as any cathedral. From what I have read, though, I think that The Love Church may be a lovely place to explore, too. Is there one near Richmond?
Blessings to you and your Love Church team!
Amanda

[Melodie Romeo]

Ironically, I am one in that age group who was raised Southern Baptist, got tired of hearing non-scholarly preachers spit fire and brimstone and moved to the Presbyterian Church. The older I become, the more I study and learn and open my mind to the infinate posibilities residing with God, my views have outgrown the southern branch of our denomination. Purhaps I will now gravitate toward the Love Church. Any in central Mississippi? Interested in (or should I say brave enough to) estabishing one there?

May God richly bless your ministry,
Melodie