Loosing their Religion

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Losing their religion: why US churches are on the decline

As the US adjusts to an increasingly non-religious population, thousands of churches are closing each year – probably accelerated by Covid

www.theguardian.com

I can only speak for the NE part of USA, churches are by and large shrinking and closing their doors and I really don’t see younger generations having an interest. So what’s next?

 

[37818]

Not actually knowing God.

 

[Godisgracious1031]

The great delusion, and amadgeon.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Not actually knowing God.

Do you mean Reprobates (non believers/atheists)

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The great delusion, and amadgeon.

But how can that happen?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Not actually knowing God.

How could you not know your creator… isn't your choice not to know him, you eradicate Him from your conscious? Very strange giving that authority to humans.

 

[RCT]

There’s been a decline ever since Charles Darwin and it will only continue to get worse, sadly. Technology and social media has definitely accelerated that decline.

 

[Deacon]

Some churches are simply not meeting the needs of new generations of believers and are obstinately catering to the older traditionalists.

Churches that prioritize family ministries and respond to the needs of young Christians continue to grow.

Rob

 

[GodisgraciousR325]

The Bible saith so, yes, there will be a great tribulation, yes, there will be a great delusion, yes, there is a war called Amagdeon in the future, yes, there will be a mark of the beast.

They will be deluled by signed in heaven by Satan and will be decieved. Be saved, all ye ends of the earth for the LORD is going to come back soon to get his church!

But how can that happen?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Some churches are simply not meeting the needs of new generations of believers and are obstinately catering to the older traditionalists.

Churches that prioritize family ministries and respond to the needs of young Christians continue to grow.

Rob

Interesting….we have family integrated services that puthe child front and center in the activities of the church, in a sence training our children up in Christ and in Christian living. The Children grow up with strong Christian identies and a sence of purpose.

I also believe that it’s important to include the elderly in active participation. Guess what I’m saying and agreeing with you that full families are a critical component in growing & sustaining a church.

 

[GodisgraciousR325]

I agree that the children should be integrated into the service.

 

[Deacon]

I see the separation from the church happening most often when the young adults leave the family to attend college.

The local Amish where I live have a name for it:
rumspringa, a rite of passage and period of choosing whether they will continue to follow the path their family has chosen.

This problem needs to be addressed long before it happens. The college kids should be aware of what they will encounter.
It’s a scary time for new college kids: new environment, high stress learning, new friends, new church, anti-Christian philosophies, etc.
It’s easier to simply put that part of their life aside.
But if they realize the value of a Christian lifestyle, (the peace of Christ), they should choice to maintain and develop those connections.

The way of the world can be very alluring.

Rob

 

[GodisgraciousR325]

Yes, exactly.

I heard a lot of stories about people who go into college/university and then start losing their faith.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I see the separation from the church happening most often when the young adults leave the family to attend college.

The local Amish where I live have a name for it:
rumspringa, a rite of passage and period of choosing whether they will continue to follow the path their family has chosen.

This problem needs to be addressed long before it happens. The college kids should be aware of what they will encounter.
It’s a scary time for new college kids: new environment, high stress learning, new friends, new church, anti-Christian philosophies, etc.
It’s easier to simply put that part of their life aside.
But if they realize the value of a Christian lifestyle, (the peace of Christ), they should choice to maintain and develop those connections.

The way of the world can be very alluring.

Rob

Funny you should be referencing the Amish. I was just watching a series of programs on an Amish family that transitions to Christianity. The premise is that they had moved away to biblical worship to a kinda traditional tribal worship & practice and the need to study became paramount for many of them. It was interesting.

What has also fascinated me is my wife’s own renewed interest in church and studying scripture. I won’t boar you with all the machinations but she has since Thanksgiving decided to attend church at a United Methodist church in my town and she asked me to attend with her and I’ve gotta say that there is very little if any reference to scripture….honestly, I see them as apostate. I can’t see them surviving as a community center vs a vibrant church, and if this is the sad state of church today well wow.

 

[GodisgraciousR325]

Dear Earth Wine and Fire, I know we may have disagreements on things.

Though I do feel like I encountered churches like that, they do seem to preach on things, somethings do attack liberal ideas, though they barely bring up scripture, yes they believe the basic staments of the Christian Faith but it doth seem lukewarm.

Any advice?

Though they do seem quite into Christianity, they do want to sing, worship, read the Bible, it seems geuine but something isn`t right, I mean I feel something not right.

 

[RCT]

I won’t boar you with all the machinations but she has since Thanksgiving decided to attend church at a United Methodist church in my town and she asked me to attend with her and I’ve gotta say that there is very little if any reference to scripture….honestly, I see them as apostate.

Oh my goodness, the United Methodists have moved as far to the left as you can get. I pray that you can convince her to get out of there.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Oh my goodness, the United Methodists have moved as far to the left as you can get. I pray that you can convince her to get out of there.

With time, she is a cancer patient and most of New Jersey is WOKE. We haven’t moved out because I’ve got Sloan Kettering here but I planned to move to Florida or maybe Tennessee…we will see as her disease is treated. Thanks for your consern.

 

[Walter]

With time, she is a cancer patient and most of New Jersey is WOKE. We haven’t moved out because I’ve got Sloan Kettering here but I planned to move to Florida or maybe Tennessee…we will see as her disease is treated. Thanks for your consern.

Possibly there will be Primitive Baptist churches in one or both of those states. I know that is your preference and from what you have posted on this board there will be none of the 'woke' agenda being pushed in any of those congregations. My prayers for your wife.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

I can't really speak for the USA except to say that one person with whom I exchange emails occasionally is appalled at Christian support for Trump. She has actually stopped attending church because of sermons in support of the man. I have no idea to what extent her view is replicated throughout America, but I don't suppose that she is entirely alone.
The situation in Britain is rather exciting. Young people are becoming very interested in Christianity. I can give you several examples of this if anyone is interested. Youngsters are anxious and depressed and are looking for something meaningful. Many older people too are seeking.
So while the larger denominations are falling off a cliff number-wise, independent, Bible-preaching churches are growing fast. My own church only had around 20 people attending weekly before Lockdown; now we have around 60, and two weeks ago we had 78. We really struggled to fit everybody in! Attending the annual conference of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, I found that most other churches in the fellowship are also growing. Maybe revival is closer than we think!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Possibly there will be Primitive Baptist churches in one or both of those states. I know that is your preference and from what you have posted on this board there will be none of the 'woke' agenda being pushed in any of those congregations. My prayers for your wife.

Thank you…how are you guys doing. Merry Christmas to you & your family.