Church Bodies

The latest statistics from the Church of England show a two percent drop in attendance between 2009 and 2010.

Average Sunday attendance fell from 944,400 in 2009 to 923,700 in 2010, continuing the long-term downward trend.

The number of children and young people at weekly services also dropped by two percent, from 223,000 in 2009 to 218,600 in 2010. more >>

Presbyterians discontent with what they view as an abandonment of Scripture in the PC(USA) announced Thursday that they are launching their own Reformed body.

Calling it the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, the group presented the body not as an "alternative" but rather as a structure that "enables ministry," Layman.org quoted Dr. John Ortberg, pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, as saying.

"Every organism lives in a larger system. A healthy ecosystem filters out toxins so that organisms can thrive," Ortberg said at a conference of The Fellowship of Presbyterians – the group launching ECO. "The goal is to build a spiritual ecosystem that in turn builds flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ." more >>

A University of Maine professor has concluded that voters whose polling place is either at or near a church tend to be influenced in their electoral decisions.

Psychologist Dr. Jordan LaBouff made his conclusion based on research conducted in a religiously diverse part of the Netherlands. His research paper was published in the International Journal for the Psychology of Religion on Thursday.

"These data demonstrate that people in religious contexts expressed more conservative attitudes and more negative attitudes toward a variety of non-Christian groups," said LaBouff to The Christian Post. more >>

A spokesman for Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church told The Christian Post that it is still unclear whether or not the affiliated academy, which suddenly announced it was closing in late 2011, will be cutting its staff, as reported by a local news channel.

"New Birth Christian Academy aided by the management of the Aurora Schools is still conducting interviews," said Art Franklin, spokesman for New Birth, to CP on Thursday.

"They will do everything within their power to utilize as much of the previous faculty as possible." more >>

Amid news of denominational schism, particularly in the United States, Christians worldwide will unite Wednesday to observe the beginning of an international ecumenical event.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which will run from Jan. 18 to 25, is an annual observance where Christians from numerous denominations worship together in the hopes of uniting in prayer despite differences between traditions.

The Rev. Carlos L. Malavé, associate for ecumenical relations for the Office of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA), said that his denomination “supports and actively promotes the celebration.” more >>

As conservative Presbyterians discontent with the PC(USA) gather this week in Florida for a conference to create a “New Reformed Body,” one church that championed the idea will not be joining the new group.

First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, which is hosting the “Orlando Covenanting Conference,” will not be joining the “New Reformed Body” but rather will remain with its present affiliation, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

David Swanson, senior pastor at First Presbyterian, told The Christian Post that his church had to decide on an affiliation when they left the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), before the NRB concept was initiated. more >>