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This would probably concern my far left Methodist brother.

This would probably concern my far left Methodist brother.

If he's far left, it wouldn't concern him. After all, he always has the Democratic party with its own Messiah leader to replace his church in case it closes its doors.

I've attended both Methodist and Catholic services in the last several years, and one difference stands out starkly to anyone who takes the time to notice. Children! While Catholic families no longer as a rule sport "cheaper by the dozen" size families that I recall from my youth, every mass in our parish always sports scores of youngsters in the pews with their parents. In the Methodist church not so much. Two or three infants and toddlers is the rule.

The 254 member United Methodist Church which I pastor has grown during my tenure here:

In 2007 we lost 4 members due to death but gained 14 members as professions of faith, 6 on transfer from other UM churches, and 5 on transfers from other Churches (197 members - 4 + 25 = 219). Average attendance 125

In 2008 we lost 2 members due to death, 1 transfer out, but gained 11 members as professions of faith, 7 on transfer from other UM churches, and 3 on transfer from other Churches (219 members - 3 + 21 = 237). Average Attendance 149

In 2009 we lost 5 members due to death (one in Iraq), 3 transfered out, but gained 16 on profession of faith, 2 on transfer from other UM churches, and 7 on transfer from other Churches (237 - 8 + 25 = 254). Average Attendance 171.

My congregation is fairly moderate as far as theology goes, some FAR LEFT liberals (they’re not too happy with me) and lots of people in the middle and a few on the right. Average age of the worshipping congregation is in the 40s. Oldest member of the church is 92. I have few in their 80s, a bunch of super active 70s, and then a lot all the way down to the 20s and teens. Not a large number of little children (about 8 in the average children’s sermon on Sunday morning), but the youth group has grown a lot as the little ones have been growing up into it. Churches this size tend to go through waves where there will be lots of little kids but not many youth, then lots of youth but not many little kids.

Even despite the economy, our finances are up as is all of our programing — Bible Studies, music programs, youth programs, mission programs, outreach and evangelism. in 2007 and 2008 we built one Habitat for Humanity house ... this year we built 2. We opened a food pantry which serves a huge number of people in need, and my people supply and run it wonderfully. We had a HUGE turn out for VBS the past 2 years.

So ... not all UM churches are declining.