A better title for this column might be “The Cost of the Crisis: 2007″ or “WOW! That’s Gotta Hurt”

From here

Between 2006 and 2007, every diocese in The Episcopal Church (TEC) shrunk in Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) with the one exception of San Joachim that grew by a half a percent. 8 Dioceses shrunk by more than 10%.  El Camino Real went down by 8%.  From 2003, when the crisis broke, to 2007 ASA in El Camino Real went down by a whopping 19%!

Our National Church Leadership has been saying that for some time now that the worst is over.  Regretably I cannot agree.  I suspect the worst is yet to come.  This years stats capture the fallout from the 2006 General Convention.  The Fall out from 2009 General Convention could be far worse.

Following GC2009 I expect we will see some consolidation among dioceses.  For example, it is hard to justify a diocese with ASA of 690 (Northern Michigan).  Increasingly smaller dioceses will be forced to spend what trust funds they can to sustain themselves or partner with other neighboring dioceses for ministry.

The creation of a new Anglican Province in North America might also accelerate the decline as disenfranchised people see a place they can call home.  A place where they will not be called intolerant or bigots, or made to feel they must apologize for holding traditional beliefs. The reality is that there are a lot of non Anglican churches where people are finding respite. Is there anyone left in the church that is not weary of this crisis?

I also wonder if our National Church Leadership will talk about the fall out without trying to spin it.