Will Mainline Protestantism Disappear by 2039?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,748
5,320
113
62
#21
I'm a truthist. Many want to put titles on people to dismiss them rather than learn truth. Maybe that's true of you, maybe not. If you feel I have misunderstood some scripture, feel free to share your understanding or ask for clarification. But if you ask what I am the answer is just a Christian, seeking to know the Lord more fully each day.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,453
113
#22
Our Protestant Churches in the USA are currently suffering from a severe decline in membership. And that decline isn't abating. These churches were the backbone of Christianity teaching, worship services, and family life for a couple of hundred years. Now, it looks like they may not be around much longer, if their decline continues.

The Mainline Protestant church is dying. Church leaders have known this for decades.:

How Mainline Churches Closed Themselves | C. Don Jones (patheos.com)
The decline is only in membership. There is a lot of church hopping and break from tradition. People are not worried about memberships as much anymore.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,679
113
#23
Our Protestant Churches in the USA are currently suffering from a severe decline in membership. And that decline isn't abating. These churches were the backbone of Christianity teaching, worship services, and family life for a couple of hundred years. Now, it looks like they may not be around much longer, if their decline continues.

The Mainline Protestant church is dying. Church leaders have known this for decades.:

How Mainline Churches Closed Themselves | C. Don Jones (patheos.com)
It's probably pretty complex, but I would guess the main reason for the decline is that going to church is losing it's appeal. I mean, church is supposed to be about stirring each other up to love and good works, and I guess some congregations do that, but it isn't obvious from the outside looking in. What people hear about the church is usually negative publicity. Or maybe they went and they found they had nothing in common with the congregation since there's typically a large age gap between regulars at church and young people. The last thing young people want is to go to church and feel a sense of subordination.

In my experience helping bring many young people to Christ, glory to God, there is no shortage of interest. The typically want something engaging, interactive, and interesting. Being involved in the discussion, able to voice their opinion, ask questions, and get answers rather than being preached at/talked down to for hours every Sunday isn't ideal.

It could also be that God is judging the church for worldliness, greed, corruption, and lies. Only God knows.

It's probably much more complex than this, but that's what I see.
 

MessengerofTruth

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2022
688
432
63
#24
I'm a truthist. Many want to put titles on people to dismiss them rather than learn truth. Maybe that's true of you, maybe not. If you feel I have misunderstood some scripture, feel free to share your understanding or ask for clarification. But if you ask what I am the answer is just a Christian, seeking to know the Lord more fully each day.
I understand and agree with you.

Do you believe that we are awaiting the arrival of Jesus' return and the beginning of a one-thousand-year reign where He is the King, ruling with a rod of iron?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,748
5,320
113
62
#25
I understand and agree with you.

Do you believe that we are awaiting the arrival of Jesus' return and the beginning of a one-thousand-year reign where He is the King, ruling with a rod of iron?
No. I believe most of the prophesy of Revelation and the OT was fulfilled in the 1st century.
 

MessengerofTruth

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2022
688
432
63
#28
You seriously want me to break down the book of Revelation here?
I'll give you one hint though...Revelation 1:1....things which must shortly come to pass...
I knew that was a tall order. :) I thought you might have some concise version possibly to help me understand.

I understand, that verse is perplexing... Do you anticipate the Anti-Christ or the Mark of the Beast?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,748
5,320
113
62
#29
I knew that was a tall order. :) I thought you might have some concise version possibly to help me understand.

I understand, that verse is perplexing... Do you anticipate the Anti-Christ or the Mark of the Beast?
That verse isn't perplexing at all. The simplest and most straightforward understanding is plain...it's coming soon.
I believe both have transpired and I'm awaiting the return of Christ.
 

MessengerofTruth

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2022
688
432
63
#30
No. I believe most of the prophesy of Revelation and the OT was fulfilled in the 1st century.
Hmmm... Who do you believe was the Man of Sin, or Anti-Christ, and the Mark of the Beast in history?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,748
5,320
113
62
#31
Hmmm... Who do you believe was the Man of Sin, or Anti-Christ, and the Mark of the Beast in history?
There are several candidates for each. I can't say for sure and don't care to speculate.
I'm curious of your take of some passages. What do you understand the dream interpretation of Daniel 2 to be? What are the 4 kingdoms and are any around today?
 

MessengerofTruth

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2022
688
432
63
#32
There are several candidates for each. I can't say for sure and don't care to speculate.
I'm curious of your take of some passages. What do you understand the dream interpretation of Daniel 2 to be? What are the 4 kingdoms and are any around today?
I believe we are in the feet of iron mixed with clay. Interestingly, we are now living in the "digital age" which could also be interpreted as "having to do with fingers or toes"- Digits.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,748
5,320
113
62
#33
I believe we are in the feet of iron mixed with clay. Interestingly, we are now living in the "digital age" which could also be interpreted as "having to do with fingers or toes"- Digits.
So...the kingdom of Romans still exists today? Where?
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
31,948
5,635
113
#34
 

MessengerofTruth

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2022
688
432
63
#35
So...the kingdom of Romans still exists today? Where?
Yes, I believe it does and it has taken on many different looks over the last two millennia's.

I believe that the Roman empire conqurered the known world and is still bringing all nations under it's Greko/Roman style governments we call democracy.

It looks a little fuzzy right now, but we will soon see this empire rise with increasing efficiency encompassing the whole world.

Soon it will become evident that this final beast is in complete control until Christ smashes the whole history of kingdoms when he returns to set up His everlasting Kingdom.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,748
5,320
113
62
#36
Yes, I believe it does and it has taken on many different looks over the last two millennia's.

I believe that the Roman empire conqurered the known world and is still bringing all nations under it's Greko/Roman style governments we call democracy.

It looks a little fuzzy right now, but we will soon see this empire rise with increasing efficiency encompassing the whole world.

Soon it will become evident that this final beast is in complete control until Christ smashes the whole history of kingdoms when he returns to set up His everlasting Kingdom.
Ok. I appreciate you taking the time to answer.
 

Bob-Carabbio

Well-known member
Jun 24, 2020
1,265
615
113
#37
Whew, White Castle. Haven't seen that place in ages, and have never set foot in one. Too greasy for me. ;) I bet a Culver's Concrete Mixer that Jesus will not return in 2026 or April 2033 and instead return on a date between now and 2026, between those, or most likely after those ones.
As good a guess as any. Since I'm 80, and in lousy health, I expect to be watching from the other side when it all goes down.
 

MessengerofTruth

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2022
688
432
63
#38
As good a guess as any. Since I'm 80, and in lousy health, I expect to be watching from the other side when it all goes down.
I wouldn't bank on it... Pray, Pray, Pray. The LORD will see you through one way or another. :)
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#39
Our Protestant Churches in the USA are currently suffering from a severe decline in membership. And that decline isn't abating. These churches were the backbone of Christianity teaching, worship services, and family life for a couple of hundred years. Now, it looks like they may not be around much longer, if their decline continues.

The Mainline Protestant church is dying. Church leaders have known this for decades.:

How Mainline Churches Closed Themselves | C. Don Jones (patheos.com)
What do you mean by "mainline".
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,633
7,664
113
#40
As good a guess as any. Since I'm 80, and in lousy health, I expect to be watching from the other side when it all goes down.
Looks from here more like you are blessed to be able to see one of the greatest events in Eternity be fulfilled.
:)(y):unsure::coffee: