Progressive theology linked to Protestant decline, AP reports

Catholic Vote ^ | March 21, 2025 | Rachel Quackenbush

[Morgana]

CV NEWS FEED // Progressive theological shifts may be contributing to the steep declines in both membership and finances that mainline Protestant denominations in the United States continue to face, according to a recent report from the Associated Press (AP).

While circumstances vary, the March 14 AP News report highlighted a shared pattern among several groups: internal divisions and declining participation often follow moves toward more progressive positions on doctrine and culture.

The United Methodist Church, for example, lost a quarter of its U.S. congregations amid debates over the ordination and marriage of LGBT individuals. Its denominational workforce has shrunk by over a third since 2016.

The Episcopal Church is the most recent to announce substantial cuts to its national staff, following years of declining membership and donations, according to AP. Episcopalian Bishop Sean Rowe acknowledged the church is undergoing a transformation, noting the goal is to serve a church that is “becoming something different than it was.”

“It’s creating networks on the ground,” he told AP. “It’s paying attention to what is new and working, and lifting that up.”

The Presbyterian Church and the United Methodist Church have made similar moves, downsizing staff and reevaluating their approaches to global missions and governance in response to falling numbers.

Scott Thumma of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research credits broader societal factors, including a growing skepticism of institutions and their centralized authority.

“You have people who are still interested in spirituality, some sort of gathering around something higher than themselves, but not in these particular forms,” he told AP. “There are a lot of religious and denominational leaders who realize that, but the question is what forms or structures are going to resonate with those folks.”

[Morgana]

oh gee who did not see this coming?

[linMcHlp]

Prefer God
Love Truth
Be Kind

Jesus is living water,
the well of Bethlehem,
by the gate,
Satisfying the thirst of David
nearby the Siloam Pool.

[Morgana]

I sit here and wonder “what were they thinking?” I know the people who attended these churches in the past were not like this. Why were these nuts ever allowed in?

[SaveFerris]

There are many Protestant churches that are Biblically solid

They should start by cleaning up pope-a-dope Frankie who was duly ... “elected”

That being said, the liberals are creeping in everywhere

[SaveFerris]

One of the main reason for the decline in American churches is the embracing of the LGBTQ+ movement. On the radio today, I heard an announcement for an Amy Grant concert. Amy Grant also embrace LGBTQ+ because of a relative.

Embracing LGBTQ+ is a great way Satan can destroy a church.

That's why Satan put DEMOCRAT Joe Biden on the task.

DEMOCRAT JOE BIDEN WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO INSULT THE
RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST ON

EASTER SUNDAY,
MARCH 31, 2024



Pastor Greg Laurie:

This is really hard to believe.

(DEMOCRAT) President Biden issued a proclamation recognizing March 31 (2024) as Transgender Day of Visibility.

This is also the date of Easter where we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. What is the president thinking?

This is a profound insult to the sincerely held religious beliefs of millions of Americans on our holiest day.

America needs God more then ever and yet this is the stance the White House takes.

It’s time to turn back to God not turn our backs on God.

We need to repent and pray for a spiritual awakening in America. It is our only hope.

https://x.com/greglaurie/status/1774211754371018918

[mitch5501]

So blessed to know my relationship with God has zero to do with anyone but God and myself.
I would venture to guess the same would go for you brother.

[SaveFerris]

Satan's LGBTQ+ false prophet DEMOCRAT Barack Hussein Obama has
done the work of his true father, that Old Serpent (John 8:44) by
sowing confusion, Godless error, and outright lies

How many attend churches yet ARE STILL deceived by this man?

Godless Reprobate Democrats will ALWAYS protect the
homosexual agenda - it was a prized feature of their
Manchurian Candidate Barack Hussein Obama in 2015

THE AMERICANS DEMOCRATS ARE DETERMINED TO DO SATAN'S WILL

They ARE working for Satan - whether they understand it or not

This is EXACTLY the kind of anti-God confusion that the Enemy likes to sow - since the days of Genesis chapter 19]

[transgender controversy]

The Democrats MUST have a direct line to
that Old Serpent called the Devil and Satan

Satan used false prophet Barack Hussein Obama to sow even more confusion upon the world
- and Obama turned the White House into an homosexual abomination before Almighty God.

Democrat Manchurian Candidate Barack Hussein Obama
is an EXCELLENT false prophet for that Old Serpent, called the Devil and Satan.

And the world just continues to fulfill Bible Prophecy - as expected

All according to Satan's plan.

June 26, 2015 was the Rainbow White House



The Days of Lot are upon the world - just as prophesied

And Sudden Destruction is prophesied for the Days of Lot

Even thus shall it be
in the Day when the
Son of Man is revealed...



(newer version which includes verse 32) - both images posted
for effect

[linMcHlp]

My prayer includes:

Please give us this day, our daily bread, and help us to digest it.

I say that, because the pastor, preacher, minister, and church leaders have that job:

“help us to digest it”

I think, that is what has been missing - it has been replaced by a weekly scheduled production, a show instead of teaching.

[SaveFerris]

This cancer is destroying churches here in the End Times.

We knew what the Liberals had done to the Episcopal Church 30+ years ago.

I repeatedly warned against Democrat Barack Obama and was duly thrown out of many places and basically left without.

It’s been a really rough road since then.

I’m still not going to be part of the Obama cult
in any way, shape or form. They can have him.

[Morgana]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my Grandmother’s Methodist church did not support abortion or fly rainbow flags.

[SaveFerris]

[I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my Grandmother’s Methodist church did not support abortion or fly rainbow flags.]

That's awesome. Democrat Manchurian Candidate Barack Hussein Obama is a notorious baby-killer, too.

Alan Keyes JUSTLY and RIGHTFULLY said "Obama supports INFANTICIDE"

Democrat Manchurian Candidate Barack Hussein Obama certainly DOES like baby-killers - it's in his Satanic DNA

AND if a baby SURVIVED an ABORTION ATTEMPT Democrat Manchurian Candidate Barack Hussein Obama MADE SURE their lives were NOT saved by going AGAINST the Illinois Born-Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA). Jill Stanek, nurse, told us ALL about it.

What many Americans voted for in November, 2008:

[SaveFerris]

If I met Alan Keyes, I would shake his hand for calling out
DEMOCRAT Barack Hussein Obama's support for INFANTICIDE

DEMOCRAT Cecile Richards had a Lamborghini...AND a DEMOCRAT Joe Biden "Medal of Freedom"...and Fame...

[Revel]

Yes this is true. But how can they make it sound like it applies exclusively to protestants. The same thing is happening in the Catholic church in a massive way. Even the pope is a godless progressive.

[SaveFerris]

Exactly

[SoConPubbie]

So, what is the Catholic decline linked to?

[alexander_busek]

“You have people who are still interested in spirituality, some sort of gathering around something higher than themselves, but not in these particular forms,” he told AP. “There are a lot of religious and denominational leaders who realize that, but the question is what forms or structures are going to resonate with those folks.”

Their theology has become so diluted and in some instances perverted that, when the number of parishioners inevitably reaches such low levels that bankruptcy is approaching, the final step to dissolve the Church is probably no more painful or momentous than the decision to disband a knitting circle, scrapbooking club, or bowling club.

"Not with a bang, but a whimper..."

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

So, what is the Catholic decline linked to?

The Protestant decline is order of magnitudes worse than the decline in numbers / purity of faith in the Roman Catholic Church.

Regards,

[Bikkuri]

👍

[Bikkuri]

👍

[Bikkuri]

"purity of faith in the Roman Catholic Church."