Summary

Churches across the U.S. are grappling with dwindling attendance and financial instability, forcing many to close or sell properties.

The Diocese of Buffalo has shut down 100 parishes since the 2000s and plans to close 70 more. Nationwide, church membership has dropped from 80% in the 1940s to 45% today.

Some churches repurpose their land to survive, like Atlanta’s First United Methodist Church, which is building affordable housing.

Others, like Calcium Church in New York, make cutbacks to stay open. Leaders warn of the long-term risks of declining community and support for churches.

  • esc27@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    122
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    6 days ago

    Boardroom meme:

    Boss: Church attendance is down. What can we do to turn this around?

    Person 1: discreetly move pedophile pastors around to hide their proclivities?

    Person 2: assure the congregation that we still hate gay people

    Person 3: follow the teachings of Christ and show love and charity to our neighbors regardless of who they are

    Person 3 is thrown out the stained glass window.

      • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 day ago

        I remember when someone (was it on Pharyngula?) coined the term “fatwa envy”. And maaaaaaan, did that really summarize it just so much. You can tell that some NatCs are downright jealous of what their conservative Abrahamic cousins can get away with in other countries.

    • Dlayknee@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      6 days ago

      I was pretty happy to see the Atlanta church mentioned in the article who appears to be opting for the third option!