Showing posts with label One Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label One Church. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Catholics keep saying that there are 20,000 Protestant denominations. That's just not true!
As of 2007, there are 39000! And it is projected there will be 55000 by 2025.
Here is the current total number of "Christian denominations" as of 2007 according to the "Global Christianity" pages at Gordon-Conwell, and projected for 2025 if present trends continue:
| MEMBERSHIP BY 6 ECCLESIASTICAL MEGABLOCS | ||||||
| 1900 | 1970 | mid-2000 | mid-2007 | 2025 projected | ||
| Roman Catholics |
106,430,000
|
665,484,000
|
1,055,498,000
|
1,142,968,000
|
1,353,674,000
| |
| Independents |
96,926,000
|
377,830,000
|
437,673,000
|
602,190,000
| ||
| Protestants |
103,025,000
|
211,054,000
|
346,889,000
|
385,815,000
|
497,703,000
| |
| Orthodox |
115,844,000
|
139,646,000
|
214,091,000
|
220,488,000
|
236,364,000
| |
| Anglicans |
30,571,000
|
47,409,000
|
75,335,000
|
82,632,000
|
109,690,000
| |
| Marginal Christians |
928,000
|
11,100,000
|
29,500,000
|
35,133,000
|
49,775,000
| |
| CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS | ||||||
| Denominations |
1,900
|
18,800
|
33,800
|
39,000
|
55,000
| |
| Congregations (worship centers) |
400,000
|
1,450,000
|
3,448,000
|
3,826,000
|
5,000,000
| |
The vast majority of this projected "growth" in denominations are due to Protestants (another 500+ denominations added from 2000 to 2025) and Independents (another 20,000+ denominations added from 2000 to 2025). See Barrett's Encyclopedia, Table 1-5, pages 16-18.
Pretty sad state of affairs. It certainly isn't what Jesus wanted:
John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
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