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Topic: Recent Changes in Church Membership
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Paula
Advanced Member
Member # 551
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posted
I've heard similar complaints about some AoG churches, but I don't know why that is. Although my uncle had been a pastor there for many years, my aunt wasn't able to get someone from his former AoG church to officiate at his funeral. It wasn't a particularly large congregation either, so I don't really understand what the problem was.
Posts: 90 | From: Arizona | Registered: Oct 2002
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TEXASGRANDMA
Advanced Member
Member # 847
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posted
After moving last Sept from Texas to Washington State, we found out about several Churches. I came from an Assembly of God background but we were not made welcome at the local Assembly of God Churches. The Baptist Churches were more welcoming to us. Even there the first two Baptist Churches did not care whether we came or not. But the fourth Church we went to (Sylvan Way Baptist) made us feel welcome. When we missed they actually came and visited us.
I think too often Churches don't make the effort to get new people.
-------------------- Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. http://www.indieheaven.com/artists/mm (son-in-law)http://www.myspace.com/mireles
Posts: 4985 | From: Washington State | Registered: Jan 2003
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Paula
Advanced Member
Member # 551
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posted
quote: Originally posted by Daniel S: ... did you notice that the denominations losing the most are the ones which used to be strong on faith and holiness and now have gone the way of Sodom?
Dan S
Exactly, and unless some changes are made, I'm sure their membership losses will pick up even more in light of recent events.
Posts: 90 | From: Arizona | Registered: Oct 2002
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Daniel S
Advanced Member
Member # 1714
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posted
Interesting web-site Bob. I especially liked the future predictor
Welcome aboard. You'll probably see some fire-fights here, but not like you did in the Redcatcher.
As for your post... Good points, but did you notice that the denominations losing the most are the ones which used to be strong on faith and holiness and now have gone the way of Sodom?
Dan S
PS: I like the tag "Aimhigherbooks" too. My regimental affiliation is with the 62d Artillery whose motto in English is "We aim at high things."
-------------------- The Lord bless you indeed. http://www.First-EMC.org (shameless self promotion)
Posts: 436 | From: on the Ohio River | Registered: Jun 2003
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One of His sheep
Advanced Member
Member # 3076
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posted
I do notice that the churches with the most growth are the ones that are actively evangelizing. (Some not in a good way either, cults). The rest of Christianity ought to wake up, and get off their couches and do something. That's just my two cents.
-------------------- Unique Christian Adventure books http://www.aimhigherbooks.com
Posts: 31 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2004
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Paula
Advanced Member
Member # 551
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posted
I found this report on the National Council of Churches website, Report of March 10, 2004, "Top 25 Churches List Now Includes 4 Pentecostal Bodies" which shows recent changes in church membership for the years 2001-2002. In light of recent current events, I can only imagine what next year's report will show.
Recording membership losses were: The United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and United Church of Christ.
From 2001-2002, major U.S. churches that grew included: the Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Assemblies of God, American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., Jehovah’s Witnesses and Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.).
U.S. Membership Denominational Ranking: Largest 25 Denominations
1. The Catholic Church - 66,407,105
2. Southern Baptist Convention - 16,247,736
3. The United Methodist Church - 8,251,042
4. The Church of God in Christ - 5,499,875
5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - 5,410,544
6. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - 5,038,006
7. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. - 5,000,000
8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. - 3,500,000
9. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - 3,407,329
10. Assemblies of God - 2,687,366
11. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - 2,512,714
12. African Methodist Episcopal Church - 2,500,000
13. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America - 2,500,000
14. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. - 2,500,000
15. The Episcopal Church - 2,333,628
16. Churches of Christ, Corsicana, Texas - 1,500,000
17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America - 1,500,000
18. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. - 1,500,000
19. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. - 1,484,291
20. African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - 1,430,795
21. United Church of Christ - 1,330,985
22. Baptist Bible Fellowship International - 1,200,000
23. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, Joplin, Mo. - 1,071,616
24. Jehovah’s Witnesses - 1,022,397
25. Church of God, Cleveland, Tenn., - 944,857
http://www.ncccusa.org/news/04yearbook.html
Posts: 90 | From: Arizona | Registered: Oct 2002
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