When you read a story like this, the first thought is that the decline is due to the church’s embrace of radical SJW values. Mainstream parishioners are saying “Whoa, I don’t think I’m ready for this in your face SJW attitude” and are backing away.
But are there other factors at play here?
Many mainstream congregations have experienced declines in attendance and participation - both on the Protestant and Catholic side. IIRC, even the more evangelical denominations have not increased their numbers.
So why are these denominations declining? Is it the growing secularization of America? Compared to 25 years ago, not as many attend church on a weekly basis. If in fact the radical SJW movement is having an effect on the denominations, where are this disaffected members going to?
I don’t know that it’s so much the SJW mentality as the ongoing degeneracy of the leadership.
Maybe if your church is little more than a branch of the Democrat Party, with a bit of religious stuff thrown in, why not go directly to political activism since that is really the main thing for leftists and don’t be bothered with even nominal religious values?
That just seems incorrect to me. Based only upon the size of the crowds I see in the parking lots of two separate Evangelical type churches, those two have grown to or past capacity. One is a "Pflugerville Community Church", the other is a (???) Calvary Church. They regularly fill up and overflow their parking lots. I don't notice that much growth (if any) in the local mainline denominations.
H-e-double hockey sticks.
Conservative evangelical numbers are slightly up.
It is the liberal denoms who continue to free fall. As they should.
It seems many leave them to join the “nones.” Which is more honest.