Churches in decline

[stevenson]

From a news article, I was reading.....

The top 25 churches in order of size:

1. The Roman Catholic Church; 67,117,06 members; down 0.59 percent
2. The Southern Baptist Convention; 16,266,920 members; down 0.24 percent
3. The United Methodist Church; 7,931,733 members; down 0.80 percent.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 5,873,408 members; up 1.63 percent
5. The Church of God in Christ; 5,499,875 members; no change reported
6. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.; 5,000,000 members; no change reported
7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; 4,709,956 members; down 1.35 percent
8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; 3,500,000 members; no change reported
9. Presbyterian Church (USA); 2,941,412 members; down 2.79 percent
10. Assemblies of God; 2,863,265 members; up 0.96 percent
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church; 2,500,000 members; no change reported
12. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; 2,500,000 members; no change reported
13. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; 2,500,000 members; no change reported
14. The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS); 2,383,084 members; down 1.44 percent
15. The Episcopal Church; 2,116,749 members; down 1.76 percent
16. Churches of Christ; 1,639,495 members; no change reported
17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; 1,500,000 members; no change reported
18. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; 1,500,000 members; no change reported
19. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; 1,400,000 members; down 3.01 percent
20. American Baptist Churches in the USA, 1,358,351, down 0.94 percent
21. Baptist Bible Fellowship International; 1,200,000; no change reported
22. United Church of Christ; 1,145,281 members; down 6.01 percent
23. Jehovah’s Witnesses; 1,092,169 members; up 2.12 percent
24. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ; 1,071,616 members; no change reported
25. Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.); 1,053,642 members; up 2.04 percent

[kurt73]

kinda looks like the Spirits filled churches are growing in number but it is scarey to see JW growing in numbers

[paul]

I know we have visited tis tpic before, but with all the curent eventys taking place it might be worthy to re visit it once again.

The growth of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement could be even greater if:

The central headquarters of these Spirit Filled movements would become more supportive and less controling. More open to being more of a fellowship of like minded churches who share a common doctrine and purpose.

Becoming less of a central depository of funds, and less top down in governmental structure. Being that their is no true theocracy in operation as described in the word. each church should operate not independant but more interdependant one on another.,

Each church should be given the option of their giving both in offering and in tithe and the freedom to choose which programs they desire to be a part of. Thus allowing for many church's to truly "give with a cheerful heart."

Accounability to a headquarters should be only in situations where the local level fails in areas of morals and ethics. Eliminate the political dynamics that have come to destroy to many churches and ministers.

Just my 2 cents worth

[stevenson]

Paul, I don't know you but I can tell that your not COGOP. But you've been there before, haven't you? LOL!

[paul]

Paul, I don't know you but I can tell that your not COGOP. But you've been there before, haven't you? LOL!

[Rob]

Wondering if these figures represent global #'s. I have my doubts they represent North America.

[Dr. Ron]

Rob, you are likely to be right on with this.

I doubt any of these organizations could boast of that kind of membership in North America alone. I certainly know most denoms depend on out of country numbers to look as good as they do.

No biggie......members and numbers and numbers are members.

[paul]

Wondering if these figures represent global #'s. I have my doubts they represent North America.

This link shows a graph of churches u.s. membership throu 2006 and projections. It shows the mormon church with the largest growth in the u.s.

http://religionus.blogspot.com/2008/05/united-states-church-membership.html

[stevenson]

These numbers are for the US only!

[Rob]

These numbers are for the US only!

Can you site where these numbers have come from?

[Full Quiver]

If these are American citizen numbers then these 25 churches are counting half the American population as their members. I totaled this up at 146,664,016 people.

My experience is that lots of people are "members" at various churches and therefore get counted more than once in these type censuses. The sad fact is that churches like numbers and would rather count people that either are dead or do not attend than to tell the truth.

I do think the Catholics have more than 67,117,060 members worldwide though.

[EagerBeaver]

I do think the Catholics have more than 67,117,060 members worldwide though.

According to Wikipedia, the Roman Catholic Church claims 1/6th of the world's population.

There have to be over 100 million Catholics in the US, I would think.

[stevenson]

Sorry, it maybe the U.S. & Canada. I'll see if I can find the article again.