Churches Headed for Collapse

With recent reports that more Americans say they have no religion -- now comes this prediction: Evangelicalism on the outs, says author Jim Brown.


Also:
A Christian writer is predicting a "major collapse of evangelical Christianity" to occur within ten years.

Christian blogger Michael Spencer says evangelicalism as it is known in the West is "bloated and hyper-inflated" and will soon collapse because of its emphasis on the culture war and affiliation with the Republican Party. According to Spencer, many people who are identifying themselves as evangelicals are not at all sold on the evangelical version of personal discipleship and commitment to Jesus Christ.

He expects about half of evangelical churches will die off in the next 25 to 30 years due to generational reasons or because their members become more attracted to a secular version of life.
(OneNewsNow - 3/12/2009)

18 comments:

Daniel Angelo said...

Yes there is a great purge amongst the Christians. Christianity as a mere belief system and not a way of life cannot withstand the orders of a secular society.

New Family Bureau said...

Anyone besides me notice that as evangelicals become more seeker-sensitive and marketing savvy, their numbers dwindle?

Harry H. McCall said...

The Republican Party uses the Christian Evangelicals and the Christian Evangelicals uses the Republican Party. This is a sad mixture of Church and State lead by the 35 million dollar talk radio host: Rush Limbaugh.

I predict the implosion of the GOP as they struggle for self identity.

C Woods said...

If only it were true. I just read that, in trying economic times, more people turn toward religion.

As reported in the 2006 study "Atheists, A Groundbreaking Study of America's Nonbelievers" (http://tirelesswing.blogspot.com/2008/12/why-are-there-atheists.html) although reading the Bible is the number one reason people move away from religion, one of the top reasons is the mingling of religion and government as supportied by the Religious Right. In other words, the more they rant against nonreligious people, the more religious people they drive away.

If you support Church/State Separation, don't forget to Blog Against Theocracy on April 10-12.
More info here:
http://tirelesswing.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-against-theocracy.html

Anonymous said...

Didn't I just post this story?

Anonymous said...

There is, in fact, some major transitions in Evangelical churches.

I and many others welcome the collapse of some of the shallowness often found in fast-growing churches (making them more flash-in-the-pan).

FWIW, I predict the Emergent Church movement will die off quickly due to its emphasis on Postmodernism. Postmodernism is not the buggabo everyone thought. It is virtually dead.

Harry H. McCall said...

John, You sure did, but with comments till coming in, its second posting is still of value.

Anonymous said...

I always thought that the fundagelicals would make more atheists. How can they not turn you sick on the idea of christianity? :)

Joseph Hinman (Metacrock) said...

the percentage of atheism has remained the same. all major studies reflect that view. saying they have no religion does not make them atheists. they believe in God, they just don't buy that any organized group understands god.

you are still a fringe element, you have so far to go before you replace evangelicalism. you never will.

atheists are always doing this, tyring to bolster their numbers and build it up to look like more than the little rag tab 1.6% the pew study says it is.

Joseph Hinman (Metacrock) said...

Yes there is a great purge amongst the Christians. Christianity as a mere belief system and not a way of life cannot withstand the orders of a secular society.

ahahaahahah, on what planet?.

Joseph Hinman (Metacrock) said...

WIW, I predict the Emergent Church movement will die off quickly due to its emphasis on Postmodernism. Postmodernism is not the buggabo everyone thought. It is virtually dead.

that's ridiculous. the emergent chruch is growing. But postmodern is far from dead. I doubt if you even know what it is or how to define it.

It's not dead. It's limited to Arts and Humanities departments, it's through shocking people. the big amazing shock stuff is over. But the serious ideas in it have left their mark and there will always be a postmdoern view point.

Joseph Hinman (Metacrock) said...

Christianity is a way of life for me. I don't know what you think way of life means, it sure as hell is one for me.

Unknown said...

Mr. Spencer's article gets quite some attention. Here in the Netherlands there actually was an article on the subject in the reformed newspaper yesterday (Yes, we have one). Particularly in combination with Darwin year this year the ground is shaking for evangelicals and others alike.

Mike aka MonolithTMA said...

"atheists are always doing this, tyring to bolster their numbers and build it up to look like more than the little rag tab 1.6% the pew study says it is."

Forgive us for trying to let people feel ok with being an atheist.

"you are still a fringe element, you have so far to go before you replace evangelicalism. you never will."

Joe, you're not an evangelical, you disagree with evangelicals, why are you siding with them? This blog attacks fundamentalist Christianity, not your brand, yet you insist on taking this blog as an attack on your belief system.

Harry H. McCall said...

Thanks Mike and well put!

I’ve noticed the same thing about Joe myself.
Harry

Gandolf said...

"atheists are always doing this, tyring to bolster their numbers and build it up to look like more than the little rag tab 1.6% the pew study says it is."

And how many people around the world claim "hallelujah god is great",only so they will be sure of receiving what material objects are on offer.

Christianity is not bolstering its numbers in any way at all is it Joe hmmmm?.No its the honest white lamb of the world perfection in motion.

"Joe, you're not an evangelical, you disagree with evangelicals, why are you siding with them? This blog attacks fundamentalist Christianity, not your brand, yet you insist on taking this blog as an attack on your belief system."

Seems almost like something personal is happening doesnt it.Is it because Joe gets lonely on his blogs and kinda feels jealous of Harry John and others here.

Mike aka MonolithTMA said...

Joe and I have had some great discussions, and I enjoy discussing with him, but for some reason atheists push his buttons even though it's really the fundies we both disagree.

ZAROVE said...

You know, the claim that readinf the Bible is the number one reason people leave religion ( whihc coflates Religion with Christianity) is getting old.

The truth is, most peopel who read the Bible regularly do not become Atheists. They don't leave Christianity, either.

THe bulk who read the Bible remain Dedicated Christgians, and often become mroe dedicated.

In fact, most Atheits don't actually read the Bible, includign those who attack it.

Old claims.

As to the Stats, the Evangelical Community is in decline, much liek the Mianlien CHurhces, but this doens't mean overall Christianity is. Also, Declines are a aprt of the regular history, and are never permenant. WHy do yuo asusme somehign now is different?