The price of conflict

In 1993, when the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) suffered a protracted conflict over the expanding role of women in church office (elder and minister), there was a decline in membership of approximately 40,000 within 10 years. (Of course, the general decline of religion in North America and fewer children being baptized also contributed to that drop.)

The CRC now sits at 194,000 members and just over 1,000 congregations – approximately 75 percent in the U.S. and 25 percent in Canada. Our demographic trends show that we are losing 5,000 members every year. Suppose we lost 30,000 more members on top of that because of these human sexuality debates. What then? What would it be like to suffer another 25 percent decline in the next five years?

In five years, the membership would be 140,000. Our denominational programs, already shrunk, would be further affected. The average size of congregations would shrivel to approximately 140 souls. Based on calculations, 100 congregations could close, potentially more.

You may say, “Wait a minute, what if my side wins?” It won’t matter, that’s what. A 25-30 percent loss of members from either side will be severe and disruptive to every aspect of the denomination. No matter how you analyze it, we are going membership-bankrupt.