I grew up in evangelicalism that became conservative by the time I was about 20 yo. They accepted everyone who came through the doors and helped people everywhere when I was very young and I loved helping and working in all of these things. Then widespread conservative ideals came into play and almost every new person who came in the door was driven out either right away or within weeks because the expectations were too unclear. Every interaction seemed to throw additional expectations on newcomers until they finally buckled under the weight of pressure, lack of understanding, and complete submission to "whatever" seasoned evangelicals dreamed up to throw on them. That doesn't work for anybody, and it certainly can't work for people who have never heard of anything to do with all of the beliefs and expectations. It shouldn't, nobody should be expected to surrender to every whim of anyone and Jesus made that clear throughout his life examples and teachings as well. I said all that to share that I've been wondering since my teenage years when the conservative evangelicalism would ultimately fall apart, and what in the world could possibly cause it to break. I am thrilled to see this article with the historical information it is based on. This really is the change I've been expecting most of my life. After seeing all that has happened, I don't believe for a second that Mainline Protestants will fall for the extreme right wing conservatives views. It may struggle with some things for a while, but quickly readjust to accommodate staying away from even going in the direction that evangelicals have gone. Otherwise, the numbers will go down and the unaffiliated will go right back up. Those who can't accept ALL people being in control of their own lives, whether LGBTQ+, women, black, and other's who have been treated so terribly by right wingers who don't mind supporting extremist conservatives; aren't going to lift anyone, group, or segment of society up. The do as we do and not as we say stigma doesn't work any more. Now is the time for real faith to learn what the word "flexible" means and leave things behind that churches have brought in the doors that Jesus never condoned, authorized, or expressed any want for in any way. Churches are not schools, or governments, or countries; they exist for one reason only, and that is to produce fellowship with faith and that's all, nothing else, all else is to be part of society and not dependent on the churches to build churches up to be in control of people's lives. <3
I actually attended Trinity Episcopal for a time in the mid-2000s and was even confirmed as an Episcopalian. However, I later left as I was finding a desire to find a church that was more racially diverse in its leadership and in the congregants. Also I was (and am still) looking for a church with an orthodox belief in Jesus Christ per se while being socially conscious, inclusive, diverse and anti-racist. I am still looking...
This is hopeful news, although I don't see my small conservative parish in VA making the turn as Trinity did in CA, much as this priest would love that.
The same PRRI report also shows age group pictures: mainline churches showed higher percentages than evangelicals among 18-29 and 30-49 who have been rapidly de-churched. This could be interpreted that young members of mainline churches are less likely to leave (though many still do) compared to their evangelical counterparts.
Great memories of Trinity Santa Barbara - and meeting you!
I grew up in evangelicalism that became conservative by the time I was about 20 yo. They accepted everyone who came through the doors and helped people everywhere when I was very young and I loved helping and working in all of these things. Then widespread conservative ideals came into play and almost every new person who came in the door was driven out either right away or within weeks because the expectations were too unclear. Every interaction seemed to throw additional expectations on newcomers until they finally buckled under the weight of pressure, lack of understanding, and complete submission to "whatever" seasoned evangelicals dreamed up to throw on them. That doesn't work for anybody, and it certainly can't work for people who have never heard of anything to do with all of the beliefs and expectations. It shouldn't, nobody should be expected to surrender to every whim of anyone and Jesus made that clear throughout his life examples and teachings as well. I said all that to share that I've been wondering since my teenage years when the conservative evangelicalism would ultimately fall apart, and what in the world could possibly cause it to break. I am thrilled to see this article with the historical information it is based on. This really is the change I've been expecting most of my life. After seeing all that has happened, I don't believe for a second that Mainline Protestants will fall for the extreme right wing conservatives views. It may struggle with some things for a while, but quickly readjust to accommodate staying away from even going in the direction that evangelicals have gone. Otherwise, the numbers will go down and the unaffiliated will go right back up. Those who can't accept ALL people being in control of their own lives, whether LGBTQ+, women, black, and other's who have been treated so terribly by right wingers who don't mind supporting extremist conservatives; aren't going to lift anyone, group, or segment of society up. The do as we do and not as we say stigma doesn't work any more. Now is the time for real faith to learn what the word "flexible" means and leave things behind that churches have brought in the doors that Jesus never condoned, authorized, or expressed any want for in any way. Churches are not schools, or governments, or countries; they exist for one reason only, and that is to produce fellowship with faith and that's all, nothing else, all else is to be part of society and not dependent on the churches to build churches up to be in control of people's lives. <3
Thank you for this information
I actually attended Trinity Episcopal for a time in the mid-2000s and was even confirmed as an Episcopalian. However, I later left as I was finding a desire to find a church that was more racially diverse in its leadership and in the congregants. Also I was (and am still) looking for a church with an orthodox belief in Jesus Christ per se while being socially conscious, inclusive, diverse and anti-racist. I am still looking...
This is hopeful news, although I don't see my small conservative parish in VA making the turn as Trinity did in CA, much as this priest would love that.
The same PRRI report also shows age group pictures: mainline churches showed higher percentages than evangelicals among 18-29 and 30-49 who have been rapidly de-churched. This could be interpreted that young members of mainline churches are less likely to leave (though many still do) compared to their evangelical counterparts.