A shocking statistic indeed, especially considering how arduous and expensive it is to recruit new members — only to see them exit by the back door!
In our more westernized, enlightened twenty first century countries, the misogyny in our church appears archaic, anachronistic, antiquarian and antique.
Most European countries have elected women prime ministers / female presidents, as have our South Pacific lands ,Australia’s and New Zealand. While the US has yet to see a female president we have seen some high profile Secretaries of State, Hillary Clinton, Condoleeza Rice, and Madelyn Albright.
So, our young women and female teens find it quaint, and positively medieval, that our church prohibits our clergywomen from attaining higher administrative positions due to an effective “ glass ceiling “.
Why would any self respecting young lady want to affiliate with such a discriminating denomination?
While the demographic of gays / lesbians is only 4% (or about one in twenty five church members ). every extended family of twenty five members has a cousin, sibling, aunt , uncle who is gay / lesbian.
The shabby, seedy, shoddy shameful treatment of our gay / lesbian offspring leads many straight family members to question the unloving non- inclusive behavior of what should be a Christ like church.
Almost one hundred per cent of the gays / lesbians distance themselves from the denomination at the earliest opportunity, because they have been made to feel unwelcome.— shunning and shaming is not a fun experience!
Finally judgmentalism prevails, indeed it is pandemic and prevalent in our congregations, schools,and homes. Not a recipe for retaining members !