new church life: september / october 2013
two phenomena – the ordination of women and the dwindling of church
membership – but the two have been characteristic of the same churches. We
suspect that the ordination of women represents one attempt to stem the loss
of membership. But if so, it has failed.
In contrast are the Evangelical Churches and the Church of Latter Day
Saints (Mormon). They do not ordain women, and they have not experienced
a loss of membership. Instead they have even seen its increase. The Roman
Catholic Church has also retained most of its membership, despite the scandals
that have beset it. These churches ha