Who Says Liberal Churches Are Dying Out? Liberal Methodist Booked for Six Months

The common myth is that "conservative" Christianity is prevailing, prospering and growing both numerically and spiritually.  Unfortunately the propaganda does not seem to agree.  Some reports indicate that conservative denominations are losing active members as well.  And from the number of active supporters of social action/social gospel denominations--even if they are losing members--it would appear that liberal denominations are alive and well.  The Presbyterian Church USA, for example, has more active members than either the Presbyterian Church in America or the Orthdox Presbyterian Church, both conservative theologically.

Recently Frank Schaefer, a United Methodist pastor, was defrocked for refusing to agree not to perform any further gay marriages.  He refused.   Now he has been booked solidly for six months to speak at liberal congregations and gay events.  It would seem that he gained at least a temporary income base as a reward for his rebellion against the discipline of his denomination.  (See:  Frank Schaefer Headlines DC Gay Pride Event.)

While the visible church is supposed to be prophetic challenge to the world, it seems that the conservative churches are increasingly thinking that if the enemy cannot be beaten, why not join them?  After all, the cost of disagreeing with the propaganda of the secular humanists and socialists in popular media is that your denomination will be considered "fundamentalist" or "hyper-Calvinist" and no one will want to come to join your local congregations.  Since when did numbers or financial income determine the truth of the Scriptures?

Charlie