But breaking with the church in which one has been nurtured in the faith, often from childhood, can be like abandoning one’s mother. Like marriage, according to the Book of Common Prayer, such a decision should not be made unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in the fear of God. The words of the apostle Paul are surely pertinent here: “Let everyone be persuaded in his own conscience.”

This recent article by Ross Douthat from New York Times, “Can Liberal Christianity be Saved?” offers an insightful analysis of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (TEC), whose House of Bishops last week approved an official liturgy to bless same-sex unions. This is the same communion that counts among its great champions of the past the likes of Thomas Cranmer, John Wesley, and William Wilberforce, and of which George Washington was a member.

Meanwhile, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America very narrowly turned back a proposal to redefine marriage. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has already adopted what is euphemistically called a “more inclusive” policy in regard to sexual ethics. This has resulted in denominational fracturing and the emergence of several distinct Lutheran renewal groups.

Similar struggles have long been present in the United Methodist Church. But this church body holds one significant advantage over other mainline denominations: The UMC General Conference allows voting members from outside North America. Largely with the support of African delegates, the UMC defeated the latest effort to “reform” (i.e., abandon) its historic commitment to biblical standards. There are flashes of light amidst the shadows.

What are we as evangelicals to make of these developments? Here are three lessons.

1.  There is an intrinsic connection between spiritual vitality and theological integrity.

2.  Evangelicals have no room to boast or gloat over the “sickness unto death” in the mainline denominations.

3.  The continuing saga and approaching collapse of mainline denominations should prompt us to pray

[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The source for this document was originally published on www.colsoncenter.org – however, the original URL is no longer available.]