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June 10, 2005
The Comeback of Mainline Churches
(Filed under: Demographics/Research)A three-year study on mainline congregations that's scheduled to end in 2006 is showing a surprising resurgence in certain mainline congregations.
"Most people think mainline Protestant churches are dead," says Diana Butler Bass, a senior researcher at Virginia Theological Seminary and director of the Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice. "[There's] a new kind of mainline congregation developing in the United States that's moderate to liberal theologically, taking traditional Christian practices seriously, and is experiencing an unnoticed vitality."
These are midsize congregations, usually with 200 to 500 members, they usually don't have famous pastors, and they're attracting younger adults in their 20s and 30s as well as older people in their 70s and 80s. These congregations might make up 6-7% of the mainline churches nationwide.
Bass describes these as intentional churches, often incorporating practices from Christian tradition, including hospitality and testimonies. Many of the churches are turning to more spiritual discernment practices as they seek to figure out what they should do, as opposed to the business mentality that has driven many mainline congregations in the past.
The bottom line is that there is hope for declining mainline churches: "I think it's very suggestive of what you can do when you use your imagination and you allow a congregation to be creative," says Bass. "It offers a potential pattern that mainline congregations can embark on that could spark new life." (link via CT's weblog)
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at June 10, 2005 7:01 AM
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Comments
Thanks for posting this. I hadn't seen the article. I too have noticed a few medium-sized mainline churches that are making a comeback. Is it really a trend?
Posted by: Clif Guy at June 10, 2005 9:18 AM
I'm not too suprised. This stuff seems to be cyclical. Perceived authenticity is often on the other side of the fense. My theory is many left mainline becuase "community" and "bible" churches were "better" or more authentic. Now they are mainline and back we go. A type Christians go where they can lead while everyone follows. Once more come, the A type go where they can lead again and the group follows. Round and round.
Posted by: orangejack at June 10, 2005 9:21 AM
I'd need to see more metrics before buying into this assertion. Too many churches I see today seek to be different like everyone else - that is they all want to be like Warren.
Posted by: Mean Dean at June 11, 2005 5:18 AM
Isn't today's Mainline, yesterday's community church? It seems that mainline is simply the "average" of whatever's currently offered.
Posted by: Todd at June 13, 2005 11:15 AM
I find such things encouraging - honestly I think if your home church is greater than your high school grad class, you should start shopping around.
It is no doubt my personal failing that I have never found any real spirit in a Church of 2,000+ requiring big screen tv's to see the Priest.
Posted by: Jordan Stratford+ at June 13, 2005 1:35 PM
I just had another thought. Does mainline=lukewarm?
Posted by: Todd at June 15, 2005 9:38 AM
Todd, I'm not sure I'm getting either of your comments. From what I know "mainline" refers to the main denominational branches: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal etc. (though I could be wrong on exactly which, but you get the idea). I don't think it'd be fair to say all those denominations are by default "lukewarm" or simply an average of what else is out there. If anything, most mainline churches are more liberal than other churches.
Posted by: kevin at June 16, 2005 5:09 PM
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