The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has published their massive survey on American denominational identity. The study confirms what other lesser studies have also shown, namely, the decline of white evangelical Protestants. In the last ten years, the number of white evangelical Protestants in the United States has dropped from 23% to 17%. When you break the numbers down further, the 17% are aging at a more rapid rate than other religious groups and those without religious affiliation. Only 11% of white evangelical Protestants are under 30 years old while 62% are at least 50 years old.
This clarifies the challenge. Now we need to clarify the cause, which admittedly, is complex and multifaceted. One of the key causes of the problem is conversionism. So long as conversionism remains as the ecumenical link for all major conservative Protestant denominations, the high fall away rate among children raised in the church is likely to continue.
So, first read the study to clarify the challenge. Second, read The Culture of Conversionism and the History of the Altar Call to clarify one of the main causes. This book is available on Amazon as an e-book or in paperback at an affordable price.
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