The maths point that way yes.
The average age of the congregation is approximately 7 years from life expectancy, That means there has been no significant numbers of fresh church-goers for the last 3 generations.
As such as the people in the pews now are dying off and not being replaced meaning that the number of members the church has, show a quarter-life of around 7 years (ie; in 7 years the number of church-goers will have fallen by around 25%) and over that time the average age will have crept closer to life expectancy. As such the average age of church-goers will equal life expectancy within about 20 years, at which point the church goes into free-fall.
Rowan Williams tried to change the church's course but was ultimately defeated by the Laity and thus whilst it may be theoretically possible for the church to turn things around, for practical purposes I suspect the point of no return has already been passed.
Financially the position of the church is a time bomb as they have held onto church buildings far longer than they can support them by income generated by the congregation, and this is exacerbated by closing smaller parish churches and falling back on the absurd white elephants of the cathedrals due to their iconic status.
The British Government moves monolithically slowly so I suspect that at least 1, probably 2 general elections will be fought following the church becoming non-viable, before it is disestablished. So about 30 years.
The average age of the congregation is approximately 7 years from life expectancy, That means there has been no significant numbers of fresh church-goers for the last 3 generations.
As such as the people in the pews now are dying off and not being replaced meaning that the number of members the church has, show a quarter-life of around 7 years (ie; in 7 years the number of church-goers will have fallen by around 25%) and over that time the average age will have crept closer to life expectancy. As such the average age of church-goers will equal life expectancy within about 20 years, at which point the church goes into free-fall.
Rowan Williams tried to change the church's course but was ultimately defeated by the Laity and thus whilst it may be theoretically possible for the church to turn things around, for practical purposes I suspect the point of no return has already been passed.
Financially the position of the church is a time bomb as they have held onto church buildings far longer than they can support them by income generated by the congregation, and this is exacerbated by closing smaller parish churches and falling back on the absurd white elephants of the cathedrals due to their iconic status.
The British Government moves monolithically slowly so I suspect that at least 1, probably 2 general elections will be fought following the church becoming non-viable, before it is disestablished. So about 30 years.
Quote:I don't understand why you'd come to a discussion forum, and then proceed to reap from visibility any voice that disagrees with you. If you're going to do that, why not just sit in front of a mirror and pat yourself on the back continuously?-Esquilax
Evolution - Adapt or be eaten.
