I recently read an article about the decline in church membership among some denominations. A survey was used to cite those finding. The churches were small (100 or more). Age of the pastors were used in the questions.
What the survey did not answer was why were these churches stagnant or declining in attendance. Were the member older folks or younger folks? Where were the churches located? Was the demography hanging? The survey failed to mention this.
After reading this article I wonder if these churches are wrestling with issues of LGBTQI inclusion. With the recent ruling of the United Methodist Church to exclude them from the clergy and address same sex marriage at their annual meeting. Not saying this was the case with participants in this survey but it does give pause for thought.
There are many in the LGBTQI community who do attend church and are active in the activities. The church is one place where we should be free to be ourselves. Sadly, that's not always the case.
I pray that one day more churches, synagogues and mosques will be welcoming and affirming to their LGBTQI brothers and sisters. The United Methodist Church blew a golden opportunity to set a standard. I'm blessed to attend a place where ALL are welcomed and loved. I pray that this will become commonplace.
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