Several months ago, Flavil Yeakley, the unofficial statistician for the Churches of Christ, released a report called “Good News and Bad News for the Churches of Christ.” Although the numbers showed the Churches to be in decline (as reported first in this blog), the text of the report did not mention this fact, and many articles and blogs emphasized just the good news.
The Christian Chronicle now reports that 21st Century Christian’s 2009 edition of Churches of Christ in the United States shows a statistically significant decline –
In the newly released directory, 21st Century Christian identifies 12,629 a cappella Churches of Christ with 1,578,281 adherents nationwide.
Those figures represent 526 fewer churches and 78,436 fewer people in the pews than just six years ago.
“While I do not want to say that the sky is falling — at least not yet — I do think this should be a concern for all Christians,” said Carl Royster, who compiled the data for the Nashville, Tenn.-based publisher.
Until now, Flavil Yeakley, director of the Harding Center for Church Growth in Searcy, Ark., has maintained that after decades of growth, Church of Christ membership in the U.S. actually plateaued about 1980, with insignificant annual increases or decreases since then.
“The decline since 2003, however, is statistically significant and, I believe, important,” Yeakley said.
Now, I don’t astonish all that easily, but I was astonished to learn that the publication, which lists all Churches of Christ in the US, decided to declare Richland Hills and other churches with both a cappella and instrumental services to not be Churches of Christ. I mean, are you kidding?? This is the same publishing house that published I Just Want to be a Christian by Rubel Shelly. It’s published many important progressive books. It’s perceived as a progressive publishing house. And now it decides Richland Hills isn’t a Church of Christ? And just who give them that right??
However, this (incredibly bad) decision did not create the decline in numbers.
Some of the decline can be explained by 21st Century Christian’s decision to remove from the directory churches that have added one or more instrumental worship services on Sunday morning.
Among the excluded congregations: the 5,200-member Richland Hills church in Texas, which had been listed as the nation’s largest Church of Christ in 2006 and previous editions of the directory, published every three years.But the removal of 21 congregations that offer instrumental services accounts for only 4 percent of the drop in number of churches and 23 percent of the decrease in adherents, Yeakley said. “The rest of the decline cannot be attributed to the instrumental music issue,” he said.
The really telling statistic is the drop in number of children.
In Yeakley’s view, the most telling statistic is a 7 percent drop in the total number of children in Churches of Christ.
You see, if you’re losing children even faster than you’re losing members, well, the future looks pretty bleak.
The Richland Hills congregation is none too happy about being excluded –
But Richland Hills’ elders have not broken ties with Churches of Christ, nor did they ask to be excluded from the 2009 directory, Washburn said.
“From a church standpoint, we’re saddened and disappointed,” Washburn said of Richland Hills’ removal from the book. “We strongly feel like we are a part of Churches of Christ and continue a strong love for — and commitment to — excellent a cappella worship.
Meanwhile, several other partly instrumental congregations, such as Quail Springs Church of Christ, remain in the book. The editors explain that they meant to purge all instrumental churches from the unofficial listing but overlooked a few.
Including churches with instruments is problematic because “the directory has always been a list of a cappella congregations,” Lynn said. “The exclusion of instrumental churches has not been on theological grounds.”
When a cappella churches add instruments, they resemble the instrumental churches of the Restoration Movement, which have separate directories.
“What’s happened is you’ve got a few churches in no man’s land,” Lynn said.
“No man’s land”? And so it appears to be the policy of 21st Century Christian that if a church adds an instrumental music service, it’s a part of the Christian Churches. There are those who’d agree, but they’re all wrong.
In practical terms, Richland Hills remains involved with Church of Christ institutions, colleges, missions, and such. So do many other churches have been been purged. And without a doubt, those who attend those congregations think of themselves as part of the Churches of Christ.
To suggest, as Mac Lynn does, that this is not a theological decision is, I think, suspect. I don’t buy it.
I mean, Lynn has decided that if you use an instrument, you are not a part of the Churches of Christ even if your preacher speaks at the Abilene and Lipscomb lectureships, your children attend Harding and Abilene, your elders attend ElderLink, and you support only Church of Christ missionaries.
Well, that’s not a sociological conclusion. Nor does it reflect the way real churches work together. It’s a theological conclusion. And a very bad one — one that’s unworthy of a publishing house like 21st Century Christian.
And we wonder why we aren’t growing? Well, bayoneting our own is one reason. Forcing division down the throats of those who don’t want division is another.
I am appalled.
I just posted on the same subject at Grace Digest.
North Richland Hills is no longer a coC congregation according to 21st Century Christian. What a shame!
Royce
On one level this could be called a political decision. But those interchurch politics are driven by bad theology. I think the ultra-conservatives are painting themselves in a corner. If current trends continue, they will end up owning the "church of Christ" brand, and will die out as their members (or their kids) become increasingly dissatisfied with their decsions.
The rest of us have a new opportunity to be Christians only, once again. We can continue to support the institutions, and by sheer numbers will eventually "own" them.
The division is painful and harmful to the cause of Christ. But Jesus' prayer for unity ultimately will be answered. We'll be all right.
From the moderator of a list of which I'm a member:
"A capella worship has long been one of the criteria they used to determine inclusion in their directory. Look in the 2006 book and you'll see that made explicitly clear. Those who object to RH being removed are free to publish their own directory if they choose.
"That said, fellowship is determined by God, not by book publishers. In this case, in my opinion, the book publishers are on the side of the angels, but i know others disagree.
"Realistically, in the church today, there are three groups with regard to the use of instrumental music: (1) a relatively small number of pro-IM people who are pushing for its use in some congregations; (2) larger groups of non-IM people who don't think it's wrong, but who don't favor its use in the congregation where they worship, either for aesthetic reasons or for the sake of peace and harmony; and (3) anti-IM people who do believe IM is sinful in worship because it is an unauthorized addition to the worship Scripture ordains for the church.
"I have no hesitation in including myself in group #3 … and that is the view that has historically characterized churches of Christ."
This moderator blogs at http://lightseeking.blogspot.com/
After one member mentioned that the directory is being rather, well, inconsistent in its fellowship decisions, I recommended that everyone read "Facing Our Failures."
The directory made such a bad decision once before when they excluded pre-millenial congregations for many years. They only recently rescinded that decision.
Thank goodness, as the book publisher said, fellowship is determined by God!
Well, I find myself in an unusual position. Normally I would join the outcry, but I've found myself going against the stream today. The directory says in its introduction that it's a listing of a cappella churches. We may not want that, may not like that, but that's what it is.
The description on the website says: "Beginning and continuing since 1973, this book represents an ongoing effort to provide a compilation of current information relative to those congregations aligned with the "Restoration Movement" which are known for their a cappella worship."
Is Richland Hills known for their a cappella worship? If so, then yes, they should be in the book. If not, well folks, you're barking up the wrong book! (for those who like mixed metaphors)
Well finally we have official what some of us have been saying for 15-20 years. The delusion has lifted. But people will not do anything with it though. They will explain it away as “unfertile soil” as they Chronicle mentions. This could not be further from the truth.
Alan I must respectfully disagree with you. The idea of the middle of the road congregations is a myth derived from turmoil of last couple of decades within the churches of Christ. While some congregations may be theologically more open than other the true dichotomy is institutionalism. I am not referring to congregations that don’t have bible classes. I am referring to the institutions like the universities, schools of preaching and para-church organizations such as World Bible School. Religious Institutionalism is dying a slow death because intuitional loyalty has been dying slow death as well. The emerging generations don’t go to a church because of the name on the outside of the building just like they don’t use AT&T just because they helped win WWII. All major conservative evangelical groups are going through the same thing. Our brothers in the independent Christian churches have the same problem whether they want to admit it or not even though they are growing numerically. The emerging generations do not buy into the traditional theology of churches of Christ and many other traditional conservative religious groups. They see it as inconsistent, arrogant and against God’s character. We were taught to study the scriptures for ourselves and when we did we did not come to same conclusions. Please understand that institutional religious groups such as Baptist, church of Christ, Presbyterian etcetera or denominations as we have traditionally understood a group of congregations that have the same sign on the outside of the building, train their ministers in the same theological educational institutions, send their children to Universities that are affiliated financially through supporting congregations with same name on the outside of the building them is a thing of the past. If you want a glimpse of what institutional religion looks like after post modernism just look at Japan, or Western Europe where less than 7% of populations attend church regularly at traditional church building with a sign on the outside says Methodist, Baptist church of Christ etcetera.
What most of stats imply is linear decline. However what I see is an exponential decline. I know that’s a play on some mathematical terminology. But simply put how many 500 blocks of churches can we lose before we don’t exist? Then again if this is political and I am more than sure it is the numbers don’t mean a whole lot. The phrase “no mans land” clearly testifies to our loss theology and dance to lure our own.
OK, I will admit that I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer (especially in this crowd).
However, what am I missing? I've used the book in the past. I've done research out of the book in the past. I've seen churches included that would not sit well with some congregations I've preached for. Groups like the PM; OC (with it's four subgroups); ME; NI, etc. etc. etc.
Those groups were signified with the above letters. I remember when the Discipling Movement was still seen as a part of us and they were signified with a DM next to the church. (They were removed because they separated from us). OK, getting to wordy, time to get to the point:
Don't the groups blackballed from the book still have acappella assemblies? I realize that they have also included instrumental assemblies, but doesn't the fact that they still offer acappella assemblies allow them to be seen as a part of the group? Why not just add a IM next to their name and be done with it?
Now, for the record, I would be uncomfortable in a congregation that added an instrumental assembly. I might even move to another congregation. But I do not assume the right to be the judge of who is and who is not a church of Christ.
(Sorry so wordy)
I find it interesting that almost everyone's comments so far are about the instrumental music issue and who's in the directory and who's not. What about the more significant issue of the dramatic decrease in congregations and members? It is ridiculous for the publisher of a directory that everyone uses to exclude the largest church of Christ because they have an instrumental assembly. This is one reason why you're declining instead of growing. Your primary focus is on who is doing worship right instead of how to convert more people to Christ. It's always been that way whether it is comfortable to admit to that or not. I grew up in the c of C and it's always been about legalism, trying to convince people that you're the only ones going to heaven, you're the only ones who do church "right", etc. You judge other churches as not being "right" and declare that you cannot "fellowship" with them because they don't do church the "right" way.
All of that may be fine for the older generation or those dwindling number of younger generation people who cannot break with their parent's and grandparents ideas. But for a younger generation and those who have moved beyond legalism, it doesn't work. People want a church that is relevant, loving, Christ-centered. A place where their kids will be taught about Jesus according to the Bible, not according to someone's idea of how religion should be done. I'm sure there are some churches of Christ who do this but they are few in number. Most of the congregations are small congregations composed primarily of older people. I know of several that probably won't be around in a few years after everyone dies. I suspect a lot of this decline is due to the older generation passing away and not enough younger generation people to make up for it because most of these churches are not evangelizing. With a few exceptions, congregations that are so excited about their growth are getting the growth as the result of church of Christ people changing congregations, not because they're doing such a great job of attracting unchurched people in the community.
And then you have the congregations that force something new, like instrumental worship, on people who don't want it and a big chunk of them leave. Adding an instrumental worship service is not the solution to attracting non-Christian people in the community and those who have convinced themselves otherwise probably have their own motives for wanting instrumental music. If instrumental music was the answer, the thousands of unchurched people out in the world could easily find a church with instrumental music. They're not sitting around waiting on the church of Christ to add an instrumental service so they can suddenly start going to church. I think this is just as a bad as saying that instrumental music is sinful. Those who decide to follow Christ are not making that life-changing decision based on whether or not the congregation has a praise band.
Why on earth didn't they just make a new code for instrumental churches of Christ? One reason for the codes is to help people when they travel to know what they are getting into…I mean help them choose a church that may be similar to what they are used to. Expect more decline if this is our attitude.
The decline is caused by a departure from the principle of just being the Lord's church by limiting ourselves, among other things, to NT forms of worship and leadership. When Richland Hills introduced instruments into worship and when they got rid of their deacons and replaced them with men and women 'ministers', they became thieves. They stole the building those who built it, and excluded themselves from churches of Christ.
The Lord's church never has used instruments of music in worship.
When a congregation becomes a denomination by adopting denominational practices, do not be surprised when its members start looking for a denomination they like better! And why not? One man-made church is as good as another. Jesus calls people who teach doctrines of men, hypocrites and says their worship is vain (Mat. 15:7-9).
Roy D.,
Maybe when you learn to read the Bible with an open prejudged mind will you be able to read the word in the context and cultural aspects they are in. Not everything is a commandment. Turning the bible into a law book only drives hearts to harden. Which is why the number of children are on the decline. You could stand to spend some time reading through Jay's articles on instruments and the Church of Christ. Oh and Ceni is a doctrine of man.
It seems obvious to me that 21st Century Christian only considers a cappella churches to be a part of "The Lord's church". It is a trubute to sectarianism to accpept every nutty idea congregatons have and practice just as long as they don't have the dreaded "instrument".
One word in the English language best describes this sort of "lost in the '50's" narrow mindedness, IGNORANCE!
I cringe when I read or hear someone refer to "The Lord's Church" because I know that term is code for "we are the only people going to heaven". By the legalists' definition the Restoration Movement was started by men who were lost. Baptist, Presbyterian, etc. Where was "The Lord's church" for hundreds of years until Mr's Campbell and Stone restored it? Was it out of business?
It is interesting that those who are the most vile in their newspapers, journals, and websites about other coC people who are not exactly like them, believe they are the only ones going to heaven. They think they will be approved by God, but tens of thousands of humble folks who died for their faith will not be? When I read "Fox's Book of Martyrs" I didn't find even one church of Christ guy paying the ulitmate price for his faith in Jesus.
One reason the coC tradition is losing congregations and members is that legalists, those who are sectarian to the core, are flat out mean. Who wants to worship with mean people who violate much of what Jesus taught but insist they alone are right because they have no piano?
I just wonder what The Lord of the church thinks of this nonsense. Who in our tradition best represents HIs interests? Which faction is making much of Jesus? And which is talking in the pulpit and out of it more about the "church" than about the Christ?And which group is going to the down and outs like Jesus did? You are on the honor system here. lol
I appreciate Jay and all other grace filled, gospel men who are trying to lead people to the rest found only in Christ. It is thankless work but thank God, many are embracing the grace of God in Christ and leaving the bondage of legalism.
Royce Ogle
It is unfortunate about the RH exclusion.
It is much more unfortunate that we are in steep decline.
We must wake-up and address the latter.
Actually, yes, Richland Hills is known for many things, including having a cappella worship, albeit not exclusively so. I mean, if you have over a 1,000 people singing a cappella every Sunday, doesn't make you more "known for … a cappella worship" than many? It's our doctrinal history that makes us blind to what is there.
Mark,
I have to agree. All curves that peak look flat at the top if you take a small enough sample. But the curve will surely decline more and more rapidly — absent a dramatic change in vision. A mere change in methods will not be enough.
jdb,
I entirely agree. The use of a notation is the obvious choice. There is no non-theological reason to do otherwise.
CDG,
You're right that instrumental music isn't the answer. The Baptists are in decline, too.
The biggest problem is the bad theology that suggests that those using instruments are sinning — even damned. Until that's overcome, the cause is hopeless.
But there are other problems as well. The Baptists (again) don't have a problem with a works theology, and yet they are in decline, too (although after a prolonged period of growth).
We have to find a vision of mission and stop being social clubs decorated with crosses.
You know, as awful as the decision to exclude Richland Hills and others is, even if they were in there with an (IM) notation, the book would still be of little use to most young people. When people leave our church to move to another town, they want us to help them find another "progressive" church — a cappella or instrumental. They just want a church filled with grace on mission for God. And there's not a notation for that.
Roy,
The instrumental music argument I understand. I disagree with it, but I understand it. I don't follow the argument re deacons at all. Let me explain.
The only congregations the NT mentions as having deacons are Philippi, Cenchrea (if Phoebe was a deacon), and Ephesus (to which 1 Tim was addressed). If Acts 6 is about deacons, then Jerusalem had deacons, but only because they needed help with their benevolence program. Were they unscripturally organized before they needed deacons?
Interestingly, when Paul wrote Titus, he told Titus to ordain elders but not deacons. Why? Wouldn't they have been unscripturally organized without deacons?
We certainly have authority to appoint deacons. It seems very clear that we aren't required to do so.
Finally, let's assume that Richland Hills is wrong on both these decisions. How does that make them not a Church of Christ? What scripture says that if you get any doctrine at all wrong you're damned?
Carr,
I hope you've made that college aware of the man's pedophilia. I'm deeply saddened to hear about your situation, and regret the harm to your family.
I do in fact know of some cases of men who've been caught in such things by churches and church colleges. All have been fired and none rehired. I'm sure there are exceptions. I just know that in those cases I know about, the issue has been dealt with severely — so I don't think the problem is rampant.
I'm seeing churches becoming very, very careful in this area — partly in response to the publicity regarding those abused within the Catholic Church. I think people are becoming very aware of the problem and responding to it.
I noted the information about the substantial declines in Church of Christ membership. While all the reasons are difficult to identify, I believe a substantial reason is our tolerance of pedophiles among us and even giving them safe harbor and access to our children within our institutions. Our daughter was sexually assaulted by a fellow member of our brotherhood several years ago. Because of that neither of our daughters will have anything to do with the churches of Christ. Forgiveness should not include allowing the pedophile access to our children.
The subject pedophile is now in the employ of a major Christian college. When our institutions choose to provide safe harbor and access to our innocent children to pedophiles, it is no small wonder our churches are being harmed by our tacit endorsement of pedophilia.
Jay,
Your comment about the utility of the book to most people is very true. I'm on a mailing list with predominantly conservative preachers, some non-institutional, etc. There are frequent requests for information about "faithful" congregations in a certain area. I've pressed for a definition of that a few times, and it's always met with an embarrassed silence.
So who uses a book like that? Our ministry does. And, ironically, we would want Richland HIlls, etc. included in the book. When we have contacts in a certain area, we first look for churches of Christ in their area. We believe in congregational autonomy and don't spend a lot of time investigating their doctrine. So, despite my defense of the compilers' actions, the book is now less useful to us than it used to be.
Grace and peace,
Tim
It appears that some have noted that Flavil Yeakley's directory is blatantly secterian. How disappointing!
What about marketing and sales?
I think that is a huge elephant in the room — 21st Century Christian is a publishing house. They know that their sales of the directory would PLUMMET if they include congregations that offer instrumental services — while excluding them will affect sales very minimally.
In fact, excluding RH, et al, will probably INCREASE sales because the sectarians are so proud of them for taking a stand for the old paths.
Nick,
You may well be right. If so, it was a bad calculation in the long run, I think. I mean, there will be a market for a mailing list that includes all progressive churches.
If we have 20 or 25 instrumental churches less than 2 years after the Richland Hills decision, well, there will be hundreds in 5 years.
So there's a business opportunity for someone (Matt?). As 21st Century Christian has abandoned the market, the first one in likely does pretty well.
Unity In Worship If Not In Doctrine
"Christianty is rarely found pure. Apart from Christ and His inspired apostles probably no believer or company of belivers in the history of the world has ever held the truth in total purity.
One great saint believed that the truth is so vast and mighty that no one is capable of taking it all in, and that it requires the whole company of ransomed souls properly to reflect the whole body of revealed truth…
The Spirit always says the same thing to whomsoever He speaks and altogether without regard to passing doctrinal emphases or theological vogues. He flashes the beauty of Christ upon the wandering heart, and the awed spirit receives it with a minimum of interference."
AW Tozer
In times past there have been some that wrote about instrumental music and said the value of the ink used to print the articles exceeds the value of the issue. The cofC continues to "major in the minors and minor in the majors" when we focus so much on relatively insignficant issues and neglect important ones. Seems like we will never get over it and that is most disapppointing.
Jim,
Amen.
Thanks everyone for this lively discussion. I think a part of the problem is that there seems to be a disconnect between some leaders and the people they lead. I've been preaching for over 30 years and like to think that I've grown in some areas. I believe firmly about 90-99% of the things I was taught while in training. However, what I've seen in the time that I've been around is a turn on the issue of instrumental music.
While there are some in the pew who would frame the issue as a "life-or-death," "heaven or hell", issue, most simply would not. It's in the leadership that we often find the issue framed in such terms. Perhaps what we are seeing is a frustration among some of our leaders as to their inability to get folks to go back.
Now, before anyone asks, "Yes, I'm in the acapella part of the brotherhood." I love acapella singing/worship. However, I have left the ranks of those who frame it as a salvation issue. I could understand if these congregations had simply gone instrumental. Then the argument could be made that they would feel more at home with our Independent Christian Church brethren. But they did not. They still offer acappella assemblies, support c of C institutions, support and finance c of C missionaries, etc. They see themselves as c of C's and I believe we should respect them as such.
BTW, whatever happened to congregational autonomy? I hope it comes out of hiding soon!
Mr. Haugland,
Actually Flavil Yeakley wrote a statistical report not this directory. His report is a very detailed accounting of changes in CoC membership looked at from a number of different ways: Membership, number of congregations, demographics, regional, etc.
He makes no sectarian judgment calls and draws no conclusions aside from statistical ones. I was blessed to be able to read his report and hear him present it at a Campus Ministries United (CMU) conference at Harding in July.
If we listen to him we will respond to a pending disaster by reigniting our evangelistic flame and of necessity will decide which part of our tradition is worth keeping and which we must toss aside to obey Christ's commands to save others.
For my sake the most beneficial notation the directory could invent would be "growing" "dying" "dead."
While Flavil remains fairly neutral it is imperative to understand that he is in a position of great influence. People take what he says as fact and base their little churches future on it. His research project before this last statement showed people who were reared in the churches of Christ leaving for other churches or no church once they reach the age of accountability. Well duh! This only confirmed what we had been witnessing through anecdotal experiences for years. I could fill a book with stories from people both young and old that have left the “churches of Christ” as a religious group defined by the 2009 edition. In fact there are recovery groups and support sites on the internet for people who have left the churches of Christ. Check this one out http://www.ex-churchofchrist.org/. That means they no longer attend nor are official members in a directory with a church that has church of Christ on the sign outside the building. My question is how much longer are we going to wait for Flavil to tell us what we already know and have experienced? It takes a special mind set to buy into the theology in the churches of Christ. I can’t tell you how many people I spoke and studied with growing up especially in High school that simply could not get their minds around the CENI and all the other flawed approached to scripture we have. They would always recognize the absence of instruments and asked why. Well no authority I would say. Then they ask where the authority was for the building or any of the other things that were not “authorized” either. Well there it is our religious friends in their denominations and emerging post modern generation simply cannot believe in this inconsistent theology any longer. So if our plan is revitalize evangelism with the bad theology it will be fruitless! The first thing is a healthy open minded complete revision of our theology. Without that the churches of Christ have no future they will fade away just like the churches Jesus speaks to in Asia Minor through John in Revelation.
Joe,
http://www.ex-churchofchrist.org/ is a great site run by good people. It's tragic that it's needed, but it's needed. Thanks for bringing this out into the open. THERE ARE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR EX-CHURCH OF CHRIST MEMBERS. We should be ashamed.
This is why I say the first step toward growing the Churches is to get shed of our works-salvation theology. Nothing else matters until that's accomplished.
I can't say how upset I was when the Christian Chronicle ran a lengthy series on how to grow and never once mentioned the works-salvation issue. They even held some very legalistic congregations up as examples of how to grow. It is utter futility — and indeed harmful to the cause of Christ to keep pretending that the grace-lite Churches are okay. They're not. They hurt people.
We have to stand against it. Never quit. Never accept defeat. Never leave a fallen comrade behind. Always place the mission first. (I'm loving this army ethos thing.)
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