GLBTQ and other issues impact on churches. . .

As Methodists ponder their own conflicted future over sex and gender issues, one ELCA veteran (Reverend Dave Keener) listed the fall out from their decision to abandon Biblical and Confessional teaching.  I think he is pretty well on the mark regarding the outcome of the failure of "bound conscience" and the impossibility of such disputes coexisting within one church structure.  You aread it and see if this is not an accurate description of the price the ELCA (willingly and, some might say, gladly) paid:

• Massive loss in membership. In the seven years after the decision to go against the historic teaching of the church the ELCA lost over one million members. They continue to decline but have not released numbers since 2016.
• Massive loss of income. In the first few years after the vote the ELCA was forced to lay off hundreds of workers and experienced significant decreases in all areas of funding. Their current income for denominational expenses is less than it was in 1987, the year it was organized.
• Global impact. Many churches in other parts of the world broke off formal ties with the ELCA — especially in Africa and the East.
• Loss of confessional identity and loyalty.  It was no longer possible for local pastors to recommend that members who were relocating find an ELCA congregation since there was no longer unity in biblical teaching.
• Theological education. Since the vote the ELCA has slowly purged itself of orthodox seminary professors. They have had to merge two of their seminaries for financial reasons and have removed one seminary president at the urging of progressive advocacy groups.
• Diversity. One of the battle cries for the ELCA in making their decision was diversity, inclusion and welcoming. Ironically, according to a Pew research study last year the ELCA is now the second least diverse and multicultural denomination in the USA (96% white). The least diverse is the National Baptist Convention which is 99% African American.
• Theological drift because of lack of accountability. Since the 2009 decision the denomination has continued to drift. With it’s decision the ELCA lost its ability to speak credibly to any issue. In saying that it doesn’t really matter what the Bible clearly states they reduce it to one resource among many and not God’s revelation to His people. Everything becomes a matter of opinion and soon the scripture has no authority for life. Congregations preaching various forms of universalism are becoming more and more common.
• Generational impact. This article explains how quickly theology can drift in just one generation, once the theological core of a tribe has been removed.
• Evangelism and discipleship. See point #1 for stats on loss of membership and attendance. As my friend notes, “Once biblical authority and historical teachings are removed, universalism and cheap grace are not far behind” … and neither breeds evangelistic urgency.