Mainline Denominations

“Evangelical Protestants have been debating for years over the definition and usefulness of the ‘evangelical’ label. Now, it appears ‘Protestant’ may be losing its place too.” - C.Today

“The departure of the theologically conservative congregations to the new group, the Alliance of Reformed Churches, leaves some who remain in the RCA concerned for the denomination’s survival. Before the split, the nearly 400-year-old denomination had fewer than 200,000 members and 1,000 churches.” - RNS

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has installed Rev. Megan Rohrer as the first openly transgender bishop to serve in the liberal mainline Protestant denomination’s history.” - CPost

“…just as ‘evangelical’ has become a synonym in the public mind with ‘conservative white Protestants,’ this survey shows that ‘mainline’ has come to mean ‘non-evangelical Protestant.’” - TGC

“A regional governing body for a Protestant denomination has seized the assets of a large congregation in Georgia in a dispute over who should be the senior pastor.” - RNS

“The conference voted 256-45 to allow its ministers to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies …. Regarding cohabitation, the conference approved a resolution stating that it ‘recognises that the love of God is present’ either ‘through informal cohabitation or a more formal commitment entered into publicly.’” - C.Post

“In 2019, approximately 3,000 Protestant churches were started in the U.S., but 4,500 Protestant churches closed, according to estimates from Nashville-based Lifeway Research.” - LifeWay

“The Rev. Megan Rohrer was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Sierra Pacific synod on Saturday (May 8), becoming the first transgender person to serve as bishop in the denomination or in any of the U.S.’ major Christian faiths.” - RNS

“Since deaths only increased by 6.4 percent (1,522 total) the net loss primarily appears to be rooted in individual departures from the denomination and a significant reduction in new baptisms.” - IRD

“The United Methodist Church has once again postponed its quadrennial meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying further a widely anticipated vote by delegates from across the globe on a proposal to split the denomination over the inclusion of LGBTQ members.” - BPNews