Episcopalians face up to decline

NorthJersey.com ^ | 12/9/05 | John Chadwick

[Dane]

NEWS Episcopalians face up to decline

Friday, December 9, 2005

By JOHN CHADWICK STAFF WRITER

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, for years the epitome of liberal Protestant Christianity in America, acknowledged Thursday in an unusually candid report that it has suffered a steep slide in membership and needs a bishop who can revitalize its struggling parishes.

The diocese, which covers seven northern New Jersey counties including Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris, has lost nearly 24,000 congregants, or 46 percent of its membership, since 1972. That's nearly three times the average decline in the Episcopal Church nationwide, the report said.

"Many congregations are struggling," the report said. "A significant number have been incurring operating deficits, and some are in fear for their very existence."

The 47-page profile, titled "Signs of Grace," aims, in part, to serve as a guidepost for clergy and lay people involved in the search to replace Bishop John P. Croneberger, who will retire at the beginning of 2007.

[miele man]

"For the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts and having itching ears, will seek truths to suit their own likings. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables (untruths). 2 Timothy 4:3-5

And now they dash healdlong into apostasy, willingly.

[fooman]

married priests and libertine rules will push the flock away.

[Fido969]

Well, yes, they should pander to gays. Most of whom don't go to church.

Excellent idea. I hope they go plain bust.

[Fido969]

Why the liberals, of course.

[stocksthatgoup]

They just aren't being liberal enough. /s

[DustyMoment]

No problem, Bishop Gene Robinson will fix it.

Oh, wait, he's part of the reason so many people LEFT the Episcopal Church.

Wonder if there's a message there?

[JCEccles]

The diocese, which covers seven northern New Jersey counties including Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris, has lost nearly 24,000 congregants, or 46 percent of its membership, since 1972. That's nearly three times the average decline in the Episcopal Church nationwide, the report said.

Not surprisingly, John Shelby Spong was Bishop of Newark for 24 of the past 29 years.

[ArmyTeach]

I voted - I'm gone. I was raised in the Episcopal church, sang in our children's choir - Gregorian chant, Latin canticles, etc. We were good. I miss it. Any have any recommendations? Our options are somewhat scarce up here in the frozen north. I like Baptists but miss - well, the window dressing, if you will.

[ArmyTeach]

Oh, well. Robinson is the summatiion of why so many of us left.

[Intolerant in NJ]

"We want to be progressive socially, but we also need to grow if we're going to truly serve northern New Jersey."...gibberish - these people know that their "progressive" (read pro-gay and -feminist, anti-traditional values) approach is what's doing them in, but are too arrogant and self-righteous to admit it to themselves - until they do, they'll keep fading.....

[Wolfhound777]

I voted with my feet once they started liberal, new age like church services. I don't think just getting a new Bishop is going to help them. They need to get back to the word of God, and quit pandering to what man wants.

[308MBR]

It's rough to attract new members at life's little chess game when you can't tell a Bishop from a Queen.

[writmeister]

And they probably do not get why the conservative dioceses of Fort Worth and Dallas are one of the few where the number of congregants and churches are growing.

[churchillbuff]

. I was raised in the Episcopal church, sang in our children's choir - Gregorian chant, Latin canticles, etc. We were good. I miss it. """

ME too. The Episcopal Church had so many treasures - beautiful buildings, prayer book, hymns anthems and other music -- all tossed away (except the buildings, which are emptying out as a result). There really isn't anyplace that offers what the Episcopal Church used to. You can hear good Christian preaching at conservative protestant - or even some Catholic - churches, but you have to sit through a "christian" version of MTV music or worse. The dignity and beauty that was the Episcopal Church can't be found. And our kids are culturally (and spiritually and intellectually) deprived as a result.

[hometoroost]

Exactly, who'd guess that a church run by people who barely (if they do at all) believe in God would have trouble gaining and retaining members.

[DeFault User]

Kudos.

[danamco]

Oh, well. Robinson is the summatiion of why so many of us left


Me too, after the church cursed itself. They are in denials of the real reason, and they refuse to interpret 1. Timothy 3:1-7!!!

[danamco]

ME too. The Episcopal Church had so many treasures - beautiful buildings, prayer book, hymns anthems and other music -- all tossed away (except the buildings, which are emptying out as a result). There really isn't anyplace that offers what the Episcopal Church used to. You can hear good Christian preaching at conservative protestant - or even some Catholic - churches, but you have to sit through a "christian" version of MTV music or worse. The dignity and beauty that was the Episcopal Church can't be found. And our kids are culturally (and spiritually and intellectually) deprived as a result.


Most of all we miss the weekly communion!!!

[Elsiejay]

There are serious cracks in the structure of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The dividing issues that many thought were laid to rest decisively three decades ago have instead been a-festering beneath the surface all along, and are about to bust wide open.

As for the Episcopalians, many members and bishops are not at all inclined to make nice with openly practicing homosexual clergy.

[PAR35]

There are a few Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod scattered around up that way. If there is one near you, you might give it a try.

Your choices are, by definition, going to be limited up there.