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The underlying problem of the mainline churches…is the weakening of the spiritual conviction required to generate the enthusiasm and energy needed to sustain a vigorous communal life. Somehow, in the course of the past century, these churches lost the will or the ability to teach the Christian faith and what it requires to a succession of younger cohorts in such a way as to command their allegiance… In response to the currents of modernity, denominational leaders… did not devise or promote compelling new versions of a distinctively Christian faith. They did not fashion or preach a vigorous apologetics…
If mainline churches want to regain their vitality, their first step must be to address theological issues head on. They must… provide compelling answers to the question, “What’s so special about Christianity?”
— Benton Johnson, Dean R. Hoge, and Donald A. Luidens in “Mainline Churches: The Real Reasons for Decline” (via honor-not-honors)
(Source: books.google.com, via affcath)
