Posted on 12/09/2005 7:57:12 PM PST by Dane
NEWS Episcopalians face up to decline
Friday, December 9, 2005
By JOHN CHADWICK STAFF WRITER
The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, for years the epitome of liberal Protestant Christianity in America, acknowledged Thursday in an unusually candid report that it has suffered a steep slide in membership and needs a bishop who can revitalize its struggling parishes.
The diocese, which covers seven northern New Jersey counties including Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris, has lost nearly 24,000 congregants, or 46 percent of its membership, since 1972. That's nearly three times the average decline in the Episcopal Church nationwide, the report said.
"Many congregations are struggling," the report said. "A significant number have been incurring operating deficits, and some are in fear for their very existence."
The 47-page profile, titled "Signs of Grace," aims, in part, to serve as a guidepost for clergy and lay people involved in the search to replace Bishop John P. Croneberger, who will retire at the beginning of 2007.
(Excerpt) Read more at northjersey.com ...
take note catholics.
Catholics? Why?
take note catholics -- and Lutherans -- and Presbyterians.
"I am extremely pleased that the document addresses head-on the major problem with the Episcopal Church, which is that it's disappearing," said the Rev. Ellen Donnelly. . . .
Donnelly said the problem reflects the traditional emphasis at seminaries on theology rather than parish management.
Oh, yes, parish management. That will really excite the masses and bring in new converts.
To get more rear ends in the pews, they need fewer rear ends behind the altars.
bump
So they become an apostate church and then are puzzled why they are losing membership?!
A return to the Gospel might help.
And the remaining Apostate are being further concentrated together
Furthering the conversion from the Body of Christ
to a social club
Sad, very sad
Lutheran Missouri Synod is doing well to stay on track with the gospels.
The PCA is doing fine as well.
PC-USA however, Yuck!
Don't get me started on the Methodists, left them a looooong time ago.
people vote with their feet.
And take their hard-earned tithes elsewhere.
Newark was the Diocese that I grew up in. Times have changed. Liberal church leanings, nay, actions have turned most of the faithful off and this is the result. I guess this is part of being a conservative...longing for the good old days. The cause of this decline can be traced to the very top levels of the American Church. Pity. This is why we search for a better way. So Long.
Maybe adding gay priests and blessing same sex unions will turn it around for 'em. If that doesn't work, tree and animal worship are tempting options. If all else fails, the remaining members can just convert to Islam.
How odd! Why, just the other day, the Most Rev. Bishop V. Gene Robinson said that Catholics were flocking to the Episcopal Church because they wanted to become fully inclusive.
ping
Follow the money. Who takes over the church's assets once the normal people leave? A lot of land and property.
The spawn of Spong.
"Maybe adding gay priests and blessing same sex unions will turn it around for 'em."
Would that this were just a speculation... I grew up Anglican in the Midwest but by my teen years found myself one of the few heterosexual Episcopalians I knew, and one of an even smaller number I knew who was interested in Biblical morality. 4 out of the 18 Episcopal priests I know are not gay, and that 4 includes John Shelby Spong. Aargh. After several months on the East coast, where one is hard pressed to find an ECUSA church that does not fly a Rainbow flag or "March for Women's Lives," I fled the Church of Howard Dean.
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