[Albion Wilde]

In the end, the ELCA was left to insist that it was a significant church, whatever that meant, as a consolation prize for its empty pews and church buildings. It goes without saying that Methodism will find the same temptation to ignore the declining numbers and insist that it is significant simply because it says so.

Methodist / former Methodist ping!

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[Wuli]

I think the UCC did the same thing long ago - insisted it was significant in spite of extremely declined numbers. From over 2 mil in 1965 to under 1 mil in 2015 - 1985-1995: -12.6%, 1995-2005: -16.5%, 2005-2015: -25.6%. In fact, their decline accelerated over time.

The difference and the importance vis a vis the Methodists, is they were in the past and are now a much bigger denomination. Outside of the Baptists they are the largest “main line” protestant denominations.

[oldplayer]

If the libs stay in the Methodist Church as a disgruntled and constantly complaining and rebelling faction, the rest of us will leave. The church and the greater CHURCH, certainly have some politics involved, BUT libs are politics 24-7 to the exclusion of all else.

“nobody’s got time for that!”