“Between 2013 and 2014 membership dropped by 3,534, or 1,420 families, while there had also been a drop of 1,249 in those who attended at least one Communion between 2013 and 2014, and a drop of 111 in baptisms and of 19 ministers in active duty.”   The number of Presbyterians in Ireland has dropped... Continue Reading

“The PCUSA’ 2014 comparative statistics recently released by the Office of the General Assembly reported that the PCUSA dismissed 101 congregations to other denominations in 2014 and closed or dissolved 36 churches. However, the statistics also show that there are 209 fewer churches in 2014.”   While the Presbyterian Church (USA) is in a decades-long... Continue Reading

“A legal dispute erupted between the breakaway leadership and the national denomination, as well as those within the diocese who remain loyal to the denomination, over who rightfully owned the diocesan church properties.”   A judge has ruled that a diocese in Texas which broke away from The Episcopal Church over theological differences is the... Continue Reading

We went into a time of prayer. And prayed and prayed and prayed. And then we prayed some more. Men poured put their hearts God, praying for repentance and transformation – expressing sorrow and grief for the sufferings of our Black brothers and sisters and acknowledging our sin as a part of it. Men wept... Continue Reading

This meeting served as something of a family reunion of churches that have been separated as they are since 1782. We have rich theological similarities, a shared history (evidenced by many shared surnames), and similar visions for ministry that tie us more closely than other denominations. Most of all, we have an organic union in... Continue Reading

Leaders of newer churches and networks quickly discover the need to recreate the kind of infrastructure for mission work that denominational churches already have at their disposal. Furthermore, these newer networks often demand a quasi-denominational allegiance of their own. A century from now, it’s likely that there will be new and different denominations within Protestantism;... Continue Reading

I like to think of our goals in two areas. First, we have a goal of celebrating the unity that we already have in Christ. And second, we have a goal of furthering our relationship with the ARP church by promoting dialogue and interaction on a variety of levels. To be clear, this is not... Continue Reading

“Potential members should understand what membership means before they make a commitment to the congregation. Churches without a membership class are essentially inviting members to join with no expectations. Little zeal toward the church – mediocrity, that is – is often the result.”   I suspect this post may offend someone, but that’s not my... Continue Reading

Among LifeWay’s findings: About half of Americans view denominational names favorably, while the other half feel either negatively or indifferently. “It would depend on who you’re trying to reach,” said Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research. “But some denominational groups have as much ‘brand equity’ as nondenominational churches, which have been growing the fastest.”... Continue Reading

“We believe that TEC’s task force has failed to do justice to this necessary task, their proposed canonical revisions being a sweeping and unjustified redefinition of the Christian doctrine of marriage at odds with received biblical teaching. Such a redefinition would obscure the nature of marriage as a mysterious icon of the union between “Christ... Continue Reading