A receding sea of gray

STUFF ABOUT GOD AND CHRISTIANITY

This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Dr. Ron Braley. This is NOT the opinion of the Courier.

“I’ve seen your future!” I thought as I looked across a congregation and its “sea of gray” I taught about a year ago. Without revitalization, it would rapidly diminish to a point of no return, and the doors close for good. This was my experience at Northview Christian Church, once a thriving Christian community. It’s also the path of most Western mainline denominational churches. If you’re not Roman Catholic or focused on attraction, you’re probably on your way out. What gives? A diminishing sea of gray. Western Christianity declines at about 20% per year. Yet, most mainline denominational churches are full of the elderly, who are the backbone. They’re likely faithful and hard-working. But they’re dying. Although Western Christianity declines at about 20% a year now, the rate will likely decline sharply over the next decade as the population of the wise and faithful shrinks rapidly. Even if butts in the pews remain, the effect on Christendom will be crippling without these vital gray-headed souls.