How many Churches Will Close in 2024


According to one estimate, 1/3 of the nation's 350,000 churches are on the brink of closure. In recent years, about 5,000 churches closed per year in the U.S. which is about 100 per week. I suppose that number is not large compared to restaurants that close. But new restaurants open. New churches open but they don't begin to make up for the losses. There are now architectural firms who offer specialized skills in converting churches to other uses. 

If it is true that 100,000 churches are near closure the rate will increase in 2024. With Christianity, I've come the conclusion about 80% if young people born into church going families exit the faith by age 20. About 80% of funerals are for Christian church members.

It seems to me that while any religion or god has a shelf life, Christianity need not be in such a rapid decline. The opportunity has always been there to be modern and change as society changes. Instead of taking advantage of opportunities, it made the wrong decisions at every turn of events. The leaders, clergy and staff in the home offices of denominations and in seminaries should have been teaching that the Bible should not be considered the origin of the faith. They should have recognized the Bible says all kinds of things can be used just as well by their competitors and enemies as by themselves. By using the Bible as something "written by God" and weaponizing it the door opened to use the Bible as a weapon in return fire. As politician Herbert Humphrey once said, "Talking down to people usually does not end well." Telling people "what the Bible means" when that view is not self-evident was a recipe for trouble.  

All readers know there are many additional reasons churches are closing including sex abusing clergy and the computer which put religious scholarship accessible like never before. I think it is not unreasonable to use the number of TV channels available as a metaphor for the number of religious beliefs available. No one wants to watch something they find boring and the same is true with whatever religious setting one is in. "There is something I will like better elsewhere." It turns out increasingly to be Starbucks on Sunday.

So, in 2024 we will say goodbye to between 5,000 and 10,000 churches. What replaces them will make 2024 an interesting year.    

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