What do you think that can be done to reverse this trend?

[Loyola]

" If the trends continue, Methodists will be extinct in a few decades and the Church of England also faces massive decline by the end of the century. "

Just I read this morning these words on christiantoday.com in this article: "New figures reveal massive decline in religious affiliation. "

I am really worried about this. What do you think that can be done to reverse this trend?

 

[seeking.IAM]

Smaller, yes. Extinct, unlikely. We always knew "the way is narrow."

 

[Loyola]

If smaller will mean few hundreds... someone can say that is synonym to ... extinct.
The new generation doesn't seems to be attracted ...

 

[Historicus]

I'm assuming the article was speaking of the UK specifically? I do agree that in the West we are seeing a rise in religious unaffiliation. How strong that trend is, and how long it will continue is up for debate.

In other parts of the world Methodism is growing, at a fast rate especially in Africa and Asia. In the United Methodist Church, we are seeing a decline in the US, but rapid growth elsewhere.

So perhaps a strengthening of our connection as Methodists, and more unity will be more important than ever. We all need to be in prayer going forward. I don't see Methodism becoming extinct anytime soon.

 

[BryanW92]

The church will shrink greatly in the West as the culture changes so that people no longer feel a need to be Cultural Christians. This isn't a bad thing and will free the church to be the church and not just a scheduled entertainment activity in a busy week. But the good news is that, as people in the West find more interesting ways to spend their Sunday, the rest of the world is discovering the Gospel. The church will not go extinct.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Loyola. Jesus gives us a good way to try and strengthen any trend.
In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells us: " The first and great Commandment is:
Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. The second is like it: Love our neighbour as we love ourselves." We might not like it much, but there is NO better way. In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told:" Ask and
you shall receive." There we ask for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. We keep asking and thanking, then we thank God and share it all with all around us: our neighbour. God will see our loving efforts, and God will approve and bless us. Love is a Christian`s great weapon, and Love is very catching. We will keep asking for Love and Joy, then thanking God, and carry on loving and caring.
The Bible also tells us: " Repent and be Born Again," we have to give up our selfish ways and means, and be as God our Heavenly Father wants us to be,
Loving God with all our beings, and loving our neighbour as we would love ourselves: The Holy Spirit will help and guide us, and Jesus our Saviour will lead us all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY. Love is our strongest weapon, and God wants our love, freely given and No conditions tagged on. It is easy and straightforward, Loyola, and certainly worth a trial. What do you think?
Shall we try and overcome all adversity with LOVE? Jesus is always ready to lead us, and Jesus our Saviour is always a Winner.
I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[HoganWynne]

I think this generation was put off by the bending over backwards to make "x-treem" worship and alt. worship the thing. I know I was. Growing up in my UMC, the praise and worship, contemporary stuff was what got me drifting. I think people my age are coming around to the traditional, liturgical style of worship, now that they can understand what it actually is. The best memories I have of the UMC was our vested pastor saying holy communion, acolytes and liturgical worship.

 

[SeventhValley]

As far as spirituality goes most people are going Fundamentalist of some kind, Apathetic, or Atheist.

The general church going person who was there for the community has found community in sports, school-parental or online groups. They made up the bulk of people who attended.

 

[HoganWynne]

Not enough person to person interaction, quite sad indeed. Especially in a Christian community.

 

[SeventhValley]

Not enough person to person interaction, quite sad indeed. Especially in a Christian community.

QFT