On congregational decline.
In re-reading more carefully Leslies very cogent article on the statistical and financial decline in
US congregations I noted one area which needed more clarification as well as programatic
attention.
“ Congregations grow older and smaller, many feling the financial pressures of having fewer
people to give “ and “churches are failing to connect with young people “ To those points I
would like to comment.
A great number ( certainly this is true of the PCUSA ) of these congregations are located in rural,
relatively small communities where the young people are leaving the community for a different
life and opportunities in an urban environment....However....conversely the urban congregations
are failing to connect ( perhaps identify ) with these young people, attracting them to their
worship and mission, so in effect we are two time losers because regardless of domain, rural or
urban the dynamics are identical...older age and diminishing finances... which should point to the
fact that we need to re-tailor our entire ministerial approach to a new social dynamic not simply
endeavor to “ retread “ a diminishing resource ....

Jim Babcock, Elder

Bozeman, Montana

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