[FreeRep]

Good point, I get back to you on that.

What is see is that the Presbyterian Church and reformed churches are losing thousands of members per year for the past forty years. Attendance has also declined very sharply in the past years. The growth rate of the SBC and mainline Baptist churches has increased. It is about 8% per year or about 900,000> individuals, +/- some. We need to look at why, the Calvinistic churches , are declining, and if it’s rabid Calvinism, we don’t want that.

[jboot]

We need to look at why, the Calvinistic churches , are declining, and if it’s rabid Calvinism, we don’t want that.

I am surprised to hear of Calvinism as a pulpit topic, even in a Reform church. It seems a little bit...heavy for Sunday morning fare. I've never had a discussion about predestination end "cleanly" with everyone on the same page, which is a pity. Were I a pastor, I don't think that I would present it to the congregation at large, unless I had a very Spirit-filled group of people who were all ready for it.
Not bloody likely these days...

I was introduced to Calvinist teaching in a SBC, but in an advanced discipleship course, not from the pulpit.

[Gamecock]

Your sources please. And don't refer to the Presbyterian Church USA as Reformed. They have become liberal mush. That is why they are having a drop in membership.

The Presbyterian Church in America, founded in 1973 has grown every year. (see below)

Numbers reflect 1971-2001 data
Presbyteries 16 to 63
Churches 260 to 1227
Members 41,232 to 306,784

The reason we are growing is simple, we are not ashamed of the Gospel, we are not ashamed of scripture, even doctrines that makes some Christians uncomfortable.

[CARepubGal]

Ummm, the Mainline CINO Churches are declining but the Conservative ones are NOT! I went from a Baptist Church to a Reformed church along with many of the 400 or so folks in the congregation. We have and will continue to church plant and yes, our numbers are growing at a reasonable rate. When you get tired of the sideshow, find a nice Reformed Church or a good solid Calvinist SBC. :-)