Disciples of Christ Report Fastest Declining Major U.S. Church in 2018

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been identified as the fastest declining major U.S.-based church, according to recent data. Membership dropped from 411,140 in 2017 to 382,248 in 2018, a decline of 7 percent. Average worship attendance also fell, from 139,936 to 124,437, a 11 percent decrease. Baptisms declined by 13 percent, from 4,344 to 3,782, while other additions, including transfers, fell by 6.4 percent, from 7,441 to 6,969.

At the current rate of decline, the denomination is projected to shrink by another 50 percent within a decade. This rate surpasses that of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which reported a nearly 5 percent membership drop in 2018 and had previously held the distinction of “fastest declining” for much of the decade.

Despite these trends, top denominational officials have expressed optimism. Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens, General Minister and President, wrote in an August 15 reflection following the denomination’s biannual General Assembly that she saw “signs of life and growth” among members. She encouraged Disciples to “abide” and “persist,” emphasizing the church’s mission to be “a healing, helping force for good in this fragmented world.”

The denomination remains committed to social justice causes. Following the General Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa, public policy groups joined ecumenical and interfaith partners to advocate for government-directed poverty alleviation programs. The Disciples also support a sanctuary movement for illegal immigrants, endorse LGBT causes, and collaborate with an “Indigenous womxn-led collective” to challenge colonial institutions and promote Indigenous practices.

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, co-leader of the Poor People’s Campaign, addressed the Assembly and participated in the closing celebration. The July 20-24 General Assembly included a resolution to receive the gifts of those with “gender-diverse identities.” The resolution states, “God is further known to us as the male-bodied Jesus embodying God’s feminine Wisdom; and as the non-gendered Spirit.”

Source: Read the original report