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Is it possible that the Anglicans and Episcopalians don’t CARE if they shrink? Some of these denominations have large endowments from generous bequests from religious widows from a bygone era when the denominations seemed to mean something. But if the congregations shrink, the money can go even farther for salaries and special projects.

Losing almost 50% of your membership is stunning—even as the US population has doubled. Even GM isn’t doing that badly. In most organizations, that would trigger some soul searching. However, you are probably right—they don’t care. As long as those who remain share their “values”, they won’t ask where all the people went. They will also be content as long as the MSM refers to them as “traditional, mainstream churches”—long after they’ve become stark-raving, new-age looney bins.

It seems these constituents are lazy about their religion—just let happen what happens. Not all of the constituents are like that, but it appears that many are. The really sensitive Christians in their number often have moved out to worship elsewhere where the Bible is preached and lived out.

You must also remember that in many cities, especially in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, the dying denominations own lots of valuable real estate in upscale neighborhoods. The old Robber Baron era trusts have faded as a source of income, but the old churches are a source of future funding for the leftist agenda of headquarters. With the exception of the United Church of Christ, the church properties are not owned by the congregation, but by the diocese, presbytery, or local conference. There are historic preservation issues to deal with, but the landmark designation is assigned to the church building and not the rest of the property. The church can be converted into a restaurant or bar; condos, apartments, and office space can be built on the non-historic buildings where adult fellowship, church offices, and children's programs were once run.

The liquidation of old mainline Protestant churches in affluent neighborhoods will accelerate in the near future as the members die off and the remnant, if any, is merged with another congregation or parish. This source of funds will fuel the apostate denominations in the 2010s and 2020s.

Is it possible that the Anglicans and Episcopalians don’t CARE if they shrink?

I tend to believe that its not apathy that has caused these denominations to fall, but rather it is a focused attack from homosexual activists.

Baptists and Catholics shouldn't be smug. If homosexual activists cannot get around the strong Bible-centered faith of the Baptists or the strong conservative central leadership of the Catholics, they will find legal means to close us down.

California has already forced Catholic hospitals to provide contraceptive benefits to its employees. Just wait and see what happens when a priest refuses to perform a gay marriage in California.

OH, the Episcopal Church does care in Virginia! Several older Virginia Episcopal parishes voted to split from the national church (ECUSA) and its VA diocese based in Richmond. Among them are two of the oldest, largest and wealthiest parishes in the state if not the country. They joined an Anglican church based in Africa.

The ECUSA sued over the very valuable property of the departing congregations, and lost. After appeal, the original court opinion was upheld. It will likely end up in more courts with more appeals.

Throughout the discussions and suits, there has been much argued by the ECUSA and its Richmond diocese about the properties, but precious little about the souls of the congregants.

I belive the law by which the departing congregations maintain their property may be unique to VA and not apply elsewhere. But at least for now it’s been upheld as constitutional in the Old Dominion.