As I observe the ongoing interactions regarding the Christian Reformed Church's 2022 Human Sexuality Report, I'm surprised how often I hear people in publications and social media, saying "the church is going to have to give on LGBTQ+ issues like gay marriage or we will loose all our young people."
No doubt, there is an observable generational difference regarding LGBTQ+ issues in the United States that gives this line of thought a certain common-sense sort of logic. But looking at those who have taken this approach, I don't see evidence that this actually leads to the desired outcome.
Consider this succinct observation from Six Truth's About the Church's Future by Bob Thune.
In 2005, the United Church of Christ (UCC) became the first mainline Protestant denomination to officially embrace gay marriage. They expected this progressive stance to result in a growth boom. In 2006, with great optimism, the UCC announced the ambition to plant more than 1,600 new congregations by 2021.
Over that 15-year period, however, the denomination’s membership declined by more than 40 percent; 60 percent of its congregations now have fewer than 50 people; and in 2021 it sold its national headquarters to pay bills.
This story shouldn’t surprise; it’s the story of mainline Protestantism over the past 60 years. In 1960, the seven mainline denominations boasted 30 million members. Now they have 13 million. CLICK HERE for the full article
Likewise, in his post "UCC Shows Mainline Protestantism's Future: Unrelenting Decline," author John Lompris digs even further into the details and concludes "Whatever future the American church has, it’ll lie in the hands of those who embrace historic Christian orthodoxy." CLICK HERE for full post.
The numbers and stories of this sort of decline are consistent and numerous in the United States. They are playing out again even now with our United Methodist neighbors. What leads people to think that the CRCNA would experience a different outcome?
It is my sense that the church of Jesus would do well to rethink what it means to do gospel-centered ministry both with and for our LGBTQ+ members and neighbors. Faithfulness to Jesus and the Gospel of God's Grace has certainly altered my ministry in this regard. Following Jesus more faithfully - especially when He calls me to repentance - is what discipleship is about. Change over time is expected. It should be change that better shows the world a reflection of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
But changing ministry and convictions as a strategy to avoid loosing loved members is not the path of faithfulness. And seems be a proven path leading to decline.
