The Theme of Christian Pundits, "There's gotta be a solution to falling numbers."



Over and over again I read articles written by Christians telling the faithful what they need to do to reverse the decline in faith numbers. Sometimes it is invite more friends to church. In the link it is to make personal relationships with young people.

I suppose it is very hard for those speaking or writing to the faithful to tell them the truth. The truth is the faith once thrived because it provided something the various cultures needed. When the culture stopped needing the faith it began to decline. It is a minority in Europe--slipping in the U.S. It is so hard to tell this to the faithful. So religious leaders do not. Instead they preach, "We can turn this thing around. We need to pray. We need to invite people to church. We need to quote more scripture. We need to interpret scripture for people explaining ours is the only true faith. Then numbers will grow again."

No one asked for my advice. I'll provide it free of charge anyway. First, you need to recognize you cannot stop the cultural change that is working against you. There is nothing you can do, don't waste your limited resources going down rabbit holes. Now, it might swing again and help you but the odds are against that. It is not rational management to assume this will happen. 

You need to take a defensive or survival strategy. Since there will be less money and fewer churches to sell the faith you need to build an economic mote around what remains and protect it.

Fewer members mean fewer churches. This, in turn, means combining both churches and denominations. For those denominations that exclude women from clergy and other high positions, get rid of that now. Women are your only hope.

Instead of threats about heaven and hell, the message of the faith should change to, "We're here for those who are helped by believing." This softer marketing will sound more rational and less whacko to the skeptical.

Overhead costs kill many businesses. Many denominations have seminaries. Most of them must close. Less expensive requirements for being members of the clergy will lower costs. Part time clergy will be the new reality. The "church secretary" will be a volunteer position. National conferences need to be held less frequently and be shorter.

Accepting that the faith will be smaller is better than pretending it will not.

Comments

  1. Ardy BOctober 9, 2020 at 5:37 AM

    Jon,

    The “ideal” or ‘resilient’ disciples scare off the “nomads” and even some of the “habitual church goers”. Many of the Christian zealots, particularly the white members of the flock feel they’re the rightful heirs to the kingdom, the chosen ones. Some imitate and feel justified by the aggressive, authoritarian side of their savior’s mission. Jesus judged, wielded a whip, vandalized, got in the face of others condemning them to Hell. The ersatz savior crowd disdain their “weak” brethren but their brand of “Christian Love” is not helpful in the search for a solution to falling membership.(1) Along with your recommendations to pool the resources of different denominations, show more tolerance for the prevailing culture, trimming overhead, and “softer” marketing, I would add dialing back the zealot’s and reacquainting them with the caring, gentler side of Christian Love. Of course there will always be those in the faith who will recommend doubling down on the tough love, hellfire, and brimstone. The old “beatings will continue until morale improves” approach. I am after all an outsider looking in fully expecting a grain of salt if any for my view. So be it.

    (1) https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rolltodisbelieve/2020/10/07/why-toxic-christians-hate-weak-christians-so-much/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jon LindgrenOctober 9, 2020 at 6:20 AM

      Arby B "I would add dialing back the zealots and reacquainting them with the caring side of Christian Love."

      Yes, but good luck dialing back the zealots. Christian love would be giving a woman with an unwanted pregnancy options other than risking her life giving birth. But, that's not the way a "real man" see it. Christian love is making sinners suffer. Sex is sin and women must suffer for it. Lots of women admire "real man" versions of Christianity. And, as your link points out, most every zealot sees himself as a mini Jesus judging sinners like Jesus did with his bull whip.

      Delete

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