When Will They Ever Learn? Mainline Decline in Perspective
Posted: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 2:07 am ET

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, New Jersey has the distinction of once having been led by none other than Bishop John Shelby Spong, who has managed to push heresy into the twilight zone by suggesting that the church must move even beyond theism. Not satisfied with denying the virgin birth, the resurrection of Christ, and other major doctrines, Bishop Spong was determined to deny a personal God as well. Now, the diocese is seeking a new bishop once again. There's a story here.

The Record and the Herald News, newspapers serving northern New Jersey, report: The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, for years the epitome of liberal Protestant Christianity in America, acknowledged Thursday in an unusually candid report that it has suffered a steep slide in membership and needs a bishop who can revitalize its struggling parishes. The diocese, which covers seven northern New Jersey counties including Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris, has lost nearly 24,000 congregants, or 46 percent of its membership, since 1972. That's nearly three times the average decline in the Episcopal Church nationwide, the report said.
Under liberal church leadership, the diocese has lost over 40-percent of its membership -- almost 24,000 members. Anyone concerned?

Albert Mohler-don't miss this Anglican Christians!