community of christ membership decline

. Glenn Stanton believes the nones story has become overblown and has become "a thing" due to curiosity and repetition of their supposed irreligiosity. Maybe you did not so much fall through the cracks as escape between the bars to the place from which your own freedom and potential may best be found. The numbers are devastating. (Added:  It is fair to say that Churches of Christ make up the lion’s share, about 3/4 by number of adherents.). I have had the privilege of traveling to many countries around the world where I have literally nothing in common with anyone except Christ. I don’t get that. A writer of occasional scientific and theological papers and many, many, many reports, plans, forecasts, speeches, and proposals destined to be seen only by government bureaucrats and their political supervisors. There are pressures on the CofC to find their role in the society around them, and they made what appear to be some significant changes. But it does seem that the liberalization of the CoC makes it very tough for closer ties between our churches. PS sorry if that sounds like a negative self pity tirade, but I think the Liberal/Traditionalist dichotomy and the questions of ministerial authority are very pertinent to present situation in the Community of Christ, particularly with reference to joining the NCC, and for the record I do accept the BoM to be historical. What?! If, as Section 164:2 says, some baptized Christians are called to “further focus their response through church membership”, the clear implication is also that SOME ARE NOT. And this question begs still another, did Joseph follow this admonition? Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Wipf and Stock Publishers, Jul 22, 2021 - Religion - 272 pages. However, since you felt the need to clarify with me, I will do so with you, what I ascribe to you is a world view that I feel is not productive to the building up of the Kingdom of God and is all to pervasive in our society today, the result of such a mentality is enmity between those who ought to be fellow laborers in the Cause of Zion. You started out claiming that God intended the Church to be a certain way and that BY usurped the institution and took it a different direction. I think the idea that there is more than one true church is correct, but we did not honestly address the question of truth by refusing to acknowledge that the idea was NEW in the church. I’m more curious about what you mean by this: “the fact that you’re in such a false framework should indicate to you that such a church is false from the standpoint of the paradigm itself”. Of course, I understand that you might find doing so inappropriate and perhaps just an unnecessary burning of bridges, so no offense if you decline. And that impression was gained after an extensive conversation in October by the NCC membership committee with the Prophet, one of the Twelve in charge of ecumenical relations, and the Dean of the church’s Seminary, until a few months ago, a member of the Presidency of the Quorum of High Priests. The NCC is not JUST a club, it espouses certain theological beliefs and lobbies for government policy, often in close coordination (meaning, for example, near simultaneous release of legislative positions and talking points) with non-religious political movements. Thanks for your kind words, I’m sure Pres. Unity does not equal agreement, necessarily. A real question is:  what happens when the issue comes to their attention? Largely ignore it and neglect girls?  Ignore the harm done to girls and women?   Silence?  Intentionally continue doing it? "Other congregations have shifted tactics and found they are appealing to people who have been uninterested in organized religion. In addition, they must normally have been active in their local CofChrist congregation for approximately six months before becoming a candidate (with some exceptions for remote areas). (One note here: that ‘advantaged religion’ could logically be atheism. Subscription to its teaching is not required for membership or ordination. TEC's average Sunday attendance dropped by over 40 percent between 2000 and 2019. Around the time of civil rights, BYU protests, world expansion, etc., we also changed our attitude towards blacks and the priesthood, something which previous prophets and apostles also taught was an absolute and eternal principle. I can relate because I was spiritually abused in the CoC, as I was deeply entrenched as a life-long member until: I’m not saying that anyone /must/ do anything; people are free to do what they want. The inquisitors verbally stumbled and then toof Price that he had published that the First Presidency intended to take the church into the NCC. Added — Note the significant issues raised relative to the abuse issues associated with the Amish and noting the patriarchical society:  https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a30284631/amish-sexual-abuse-incest-me-too/, and the IFB:  https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/living/religion/article222576310.html, and the Southern Baptist:  https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/Southern-Baptist-sexual-abuse-spreads-as-leaders-13588038.php, “Assemblies of God and Church of God … grown … They have female preachers and women serve in all roles and functions in the worship service.”:  The US Assemblies of God (Evangelical) “has experienced 27 consecutive years of growth in adherents” as of 2016. https://ag.org/About/Statistics.  Church of God (Cleveland, TN) —http://www.ncccusa.org/news/110210yearbook2011.html (“Other churches that continued to post membership gains in 2010 are Jehovah’s Witnesses, up 4.37 percent to 1,162,686 members, and Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), up .38 percent to 1,076,254 members.”); Church of God Statistical Summary; Church of God 2012 Statistical Summary; 2016 Church of God Statistical Summary.  Assemblies of God — https://ag.org/Beliefs/Topics-Index/The-Role-of-Women-in-Ministry (full participation — “After examining the various translations and interpretations of biblical passages relating to the role of women in the first-century church, and desiring to apply biblical principles to contemporary church practice, we conclude that we cannot find convincing evidence that the ministry of women is restricted according to some sacred or immutable principle.”) Church of God (Cleveland, TN) — http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/news/2010/08/church-of-god-ays-women-can-be.php and https://www.charismamag.com/site-archives/570-news/featured-news/11656-church-of-god-debates-role-of-women (women serve as pastors, in the worship service, preachers, on local congregational boards, but not as bishops). Â. Cf. It's an 80-year low only because that's when the subject first began being polled. For more on the scripture relating to this issue, see: Start here for a discussion regarding scripture on this issue:  Steve Gardner, “20 Passages Asking Women to Speak, Teach, Lead, and Have Authority Over Men, In the Assembly  and Elsewhere,” AuthenticTheology.com (September 3, 2018). Did I read that incorrectly – or do you think the move was made with the understanding / belief that it was worth it no matter the historical or theological cost? I remember being struck by the similarities of the principles being taught with our church, and had heard that the Church of Christ had ties to Mormon origins, but I have yet to learn anything confirmatory to these rumors. If I assume, or if someone convinces me, that the first premise is true, I have little reason to consider any organization within the Restoration as the place for my proper response to Christ. This is more than triple the already high rate of decline for the Churches of Christ from 2000 to 2015.  It is a 15% steeper adherent fall than reported by Authentic Theology in November 2018 for 2015 to 2018. You write: “Admittedly you do not believe that there is more than one true religion in terms of your core beliefs, so I can see that you may have felt BY starting teaching falsehoods that made the LDS Church no longer one of God’s true religions.”. (Because it sure seems like our church would rather have a bunch of sheep following the shepherd, not being shepherds.) So any schism is likely to be like a comet shedding its tail than a break-up into two distinct churches. Whether pioneering on the edge, riding a wave of expansion, or stuck in suffocating decline, The Rise and Fall of Movements addresses each phase in the movement lifecycle, helping leaders identify their stage and align themselves with God's ... Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. By 2008, the number of member contributors had dropped to 22,000, a loss of 64,000 supportive members. What is the name of the Church of Christ you attend that has been steadily growing? If the entire restoration with its many permutation as a result was predicated upon this event, then another question is equally important. Roberts,7vols.,2drev. Neither of these seem like big deal, since we are really in agreement. But they are giving up everything that made them unique. as founders in order to treat the Bible as scripture. And researchers showed long ago that the reason for mainline denomination decline in membership was nearly all due to a difference in birth rates during the relevant time period (members started out older, geographic, economic, and other demographics were different, etc.). I look at our kinship as a loose one, but still having many common bonds. After all, we trace our priesthoods through the same lines of authority and baptize at the same age and in using the same rite. Bruce, there is no contradiction in what I said — the contradiction is among all the baggage you attached to what I said. I doubt that they are even aware of these latest changes. What Differentiates the Churches of Christ in Evangelical Christianity? ), Indeed, my point is actually its logical corrallary: that if there are in fact truths worth having that are superior to their logical altenative (a point that even John agrees with and that seem to just logically follow from the very concept of “truth”) then there can’t be anything logically false about choosing (by revelation or by fiat) to believe that God *did* choose one institution to be His own. This understanding came through me conducting online research, asking questions of people familiar with these and other denominations, and other research.  Essentially, I sought out any denomination or group that has a practice like the Churches of Christ.  If you know of anything different or any to add or take away from this list, or have any comments on it, I would appreciate hearing from you.  Please contact me via the Contact page. If women want to “learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home”? The claim in this article is not that it is “THE reason” has declined.  There are other factors that have also caused decline. They created something new, because you can never go home again. What do you think that means to CoC members who continue to hold to that belief? @54 -What I said: “But still, doesn’t the fact that almost every member of the early Mormon Church (that stayed Mormon anyhow) chose to follow BY count at least a little against his status as a usurper?”, John’s response: “This is a false statement; while a large majority of the members at church HQ moved west, the membership at church HQ represented a minority of the Saints baptized between 1830-44.”. Suggests Significant Reason for Decline: Treatment of Girls and Women. The comforting thing about that idea is that sometimes moral issues become clearer when you don’t feel compelled to preserve the institution. This also could open the CoC to other future mergers with small Protestant sects or to be subsumed by a larger one. Also, I agree the LDS Church (and all Church and religions) must be judged by how well they perform. As another example, some Church of Christ members are hesitant to — or will not —- invite their friends to the church because they know that this issue is a deal-breaker or they do not want to expose their female friends or their daughters to such discrimination. There’s plenty to seize control of: for example, the institution itself. This has serious effects. You are mistaken if you think it has not been deemphasized. If those who walk out the door are the type of people who bring  others down, who do little work, who depress, etc., then it might actually improve the chances of growth and renewal.  As noted above, the other things reported indicate that the change should lead to actual growth after the change. Look for a second at the member list: http://www.ncccusa.org/members/index.html. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. JSJr did found the church in 1830. ( Log Out /  I agree with you on many things, it seems, but somehow I see your conclusions as the opposite of what they should be from within your own world view. That policy hurts people. What I meant was that I’m firmly of the opinion that it’s incredibly important for everyone to have a core set of beliefs and to hold to them. Given that the Churches of Christ brand has such practices associated with it, the concept that one congregation changing and not showing a massive inflow of people does allow much of an inference.  Most congregations cannot overcome that association in a short time frame.  It will take a large number of Churches of Christ making this change for it to impact the brand known to the public. What you apparently mean by “seize control” is that BY (and the 12) convinced people this was God’s will and they willingly decided they believed him. I hope and pray the best for the CofC and I’m saddened that it can’t be the Spiritual Home I long for. Only 3-4% of U.S. Christianity does so. I totally agree with that implication of D&C 164:2. the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA — usually known simply as the National Council of Churches, or NCC — accepted the application of the Community of Christ to become its 37th denominational member. In Section 164 there is a sort of epilogue that the prophet testified came after he thought the experience was done. 21st Century Christian publishes “Churches of Christ in the United States” reporting membership, adherent, and other information periodically.  It publishes data sheets online.  The most recent data sheet is here. “It is not THE reason, so I can do nothing”. Provided for free from the Association of Religion Data Archives (TheArda.com). What better way to do that than to admit into its fold a church that has to downgrade the scriptural and prophetic standing of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith in order to enter that fold? These things are all found in the CofC today, but have been jettisoned by the LDS Church to a large degree. The point is that the top leadership of the church was lying, and was having figurative witch burnings,for anyone who dared point out their bald-faced lies. I don’t think Christ wants that for us. In 2015, both Brittany and her husband were called to the priesthood by their pastor. 3. Joseph was too young in that moment to understand, it took a few more years and another vision to bring this enlightenment of the apostasy which had grown and metastasized over the centuries. Ron Oxley, husband of retired apostle Susan Oxley, began hospice care today as a result of cancer.Ron and Susan recently returned from a trip to New Zealand to visit family and friends and upon their return, Ron's health began to decline. Did this young lad understand what was meant by NOT joining any other organization because of the ‘power thereof’? As for the first, I think a key point is that we both believe that not all belief systems are equal. The Churches of Christ treatment of women and girls departs from nearly all the rest of Christianity by completely excluding them from speaking, teaching, and actively serving in the worship service.  It is a very public exclusion. + 15% increased participation by men (only 6% reporting decreased) …. A 3rd generation RLDS member who is affiliated with the Community of Christ but perfers to reserve the latter term for something bigger than a religion. The Bible is God's word and the basis for It’s just that part of me feels sorrow that it appears they are jettisoning their founding in order to join the NCC – just as I feel sorrow when the LDS Church softens some of the stances from its own past. In earlier days, the two groups saw each other as rivals, but both have made efforts to reach out in a friendly gesture. I talked with a man who had been baptized secretly in a cave pool years before Community of Christ became accessible to him. James Emery White. Theologically early Mormons believed that they were the Restoration of the New Testament church in every sense, including recovering all the actual historical practices and institutional authority. People favoring exclusion of women often argue that since mainline denominations ordain women and those denominations have shrunk immensely, we ought not ordain women. Many rural communities face decline. I meant that I don’t see thousands of NCC Christians “joining” the CofC – not just embracing it as a legitimate Christian denomination. Attendance for 2018 was down 11% (from 139,936 to . . “They'd like to hear the Gospel preached, but their clergy are more focused upon social witness and, in the words of one Disciples' congregant, ‘milquetoast sermons.’”. 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