The decay of progressive Christianity

When Rob Bell came out in support of same-sex marriage he appropriately chose San Francisco’s Episcopal Cathedral to make the announcement.

The Episcopalian church was once the largest church in the American colonies. Since turning its back on historic Christianity it has been in relentless decline.

Let’s do a health check on today's Episcopalian church.

Headquarters has spent $18 million suing disaffected local congregations. The annual convention has endorsed cross-dressing clergy and same-sex marriage. The denomination cannot afford the annual $8.5 million needed to maintain its New York City headquarters. From 1992-2002 the Episcopal church lost 2.3 million members (32%). The decline continues with a loss of 2.7% in 2012. Bishops, parishes and entire dioceses are exiting the denomination.

The Episcopal church isn’t declining, it’s decaying.

This is the story every time Christian progressives abandon the gospel for the sake of relevance. We have a century or more of evidence, Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians and emergents. There are no exceptions.

UPDATE: The gospel of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori