Churches fight to stay open as attendance dwindles
abcnews.go.com
Churches faced with empty pews are fighting to keep their doors open, while former houses of worship are being converted into bars, clubs and luxury condos.

Summary

Churches across the U.S. are grappling with dwindling attendance and financial instability, forcing many to close or sell properties.

The Diocese of Buffalo has shut down 100 parishes since the 2000s and plans to close 70 more. Nationwide, church membership has dropped from 80% in the 1940s to 45% today.

Some churches repurpose their land to survive, like Atlanta’s First United Methodist Church, which is building affordable housing.

Others, like Calcium Church in New York, make cutbacks to stay open. Leaders warn of the long-term risks of declining community and support for churches.

  • cows_are_underrated@feddit.org
    61·
    9 days ago

    Some churches repurpose their land to survive, like Atlanta’s First United Methodist Church, which is building affordable housing.

    That’s something more churches should do. They always preach about “helping the poor” but most don’t give a fuck.

      • soul@lemmy.worldEnglish
        9·
        9 days ago

        They’re more than happy to take in everyone’s dollars, though. Can’t get enough of those.

    • nickiwest@lemmy.world
      15·
      9 days ago

      One of the best things my family church did to reach out to the community was running a low-cost daycare center in our tiny rural town. It helped local families, bolstered the church’s finances, and brought new families into the church.

      Unfortunately, it was an Assembly of God church with toxic teachings that I’m still working through decades later. So … straights and roundabouts, I guess.