Wikipedia

Mainline Protestant

Not to be confused withMainstream Christianity.

Themainline Protestantchurches (sometimes also known asoldline Protestants)[1][2][3]are a group ofProtestant denominations in the United StatesandCanadalargely of thetheologically liberalortheologically progressivepersuasion that contrast in history and practice with the largely theologically conservativeEvangelical,Fundamentalist,Charismatic,Confessional,Confessing Movement,historicallyBlack church,andGlobal SouthProtestant denominations and congregations.[4][5][6][7][8]Some make a distinction between "mainline" and "oldline", with the former referring only to denominational ties and the latter referring to church lineage, prestige and influence.[9]However, this distinction has largely been lost to history and the terms are now nearly synonymous.

Eucharistobserved by a congregation of theUnited Methodist Church,a typical mainline Protestant denomination and one of the "Seven Sisters ofAmerican Protestantism".

Mainline Protestant churches have stressedsocial justiceand personalsalvation,and bothpoliticallyandtheologically,tend to be more liberal than non-mainline Protestant churches. Mainline Protestant churches share a common approach that often leads to collaboration in organizations such as theNational Council of Churches,and because of their involvement with theecumenical movement,they are sometimes given the alternative label of "ecumenical Protestantism" (especially outside the United States). While in 1970 the mainline Protestant churches claimed most Protestants and more than 30 percent of the American population as members, as of 2009they are a minority among American Protestants, claiming approximately 15 percent of American adults. Some have criticized the termmainlinefor its allegedWhite Anglo-Saxon Protestantethnocentric and elitist assumptions, and its erroneous association with the term "mainstream", since the termmainlinealmost exclusively describedWhite,non-fundamentalistand non-evangelicalProtestant Americans from its origin to the late twentieth century.[7][8][4]

Terminology

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The termmainline Protestantwas coined duringdebates between modernists and fundamentalists in the 1920s.[10]Several sources claim that the term is derived from thePhiladelphia Main Line,a group of affluent suburbs of Philadelphia; most residents belonged to mainline denominations.[11]Today, most mainline Protestants remain rooted in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. C. Kirk Hadaway and Penny Long Marler define the term as follows: "the term 'mainline Protestant' is used along with 'mainstream Protestant' and 'oldline Protestant' to categorize denominations that are affiliated with the National Council of Churches and have deep historical roots in and long-standing influence on American society."[12]

In the US, Protestantism is generally divided between mainline denominations andevangelicalortheologically conservativedenominations. In other parts of the world, the termmainline Protestantis not used. Instead, the term "ecumenical"is used to distinguish similar churches from evangelical denominations.[13]Some have criticized the termmainlinefor its allegedWhite Anglo-Saxon Protestantethnocentric and elitist assumptions, and its erroneous association with the term "mainstream" since it almost exclusively describedWhite American,non-fundamentalistand non-evangelicalProtestant Americans from its origin to the late twentieth century.[7][8][4][6]

Mainlinevs.mainstream

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The termmainstream Christianin academic usage is not equivalent tomainline Protestantand is often used as an attempt to find impartial sociological vocabulary in distinguishingorthodoxyandheresy.[14]Hence in Christological and doctrinal referencemainstream Christianityis often equivalent toTrinitarianism.Mainline Protestantism should not be confused withNicene Christianitywhich is more widely accepted as having the "mainstream Christianity" designation that also includesCatholics,EasternandOriental Orthodoxbelievers, and non-Mainline Protestants such asEvangelical,Fundamentalist,Charismatic,Confessional,Confessing Movement,the historicallyBlack church,andGlobal SouthProtestants.[4][5][6][7][8]In the United Kingdom and Australia, the termmainline Protestantis not used, andmainstreamdoes not meanprogressiveProtestant. Although some supporters and adherents, do claim that Mainline Protestant is synonymous with Mainstream Protestant.[15][16]

Denominations

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Washington National Cathedral,an Episcopal cathedral inWashington, D.C.
ACongregational churchof theUnited Church of Christdenomination inFarmington, Connecticut
Augustana Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C belonging to theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America

The largest mainline churches are sometimes referred to as the "Seven Sisters of AmericanProtestantism,"[17]a term apparently coined by William Hutchison.[18]The "Seven Sisters" are:

The term 'mainline' has also been applied to Canadian Protestant churches that share common origins with their US counterparts[27][28]such as the:

TheAssociation of Religion Data Archives,Pew Research,and other sources also consider these denominations, listed with adherents and members, to be mainline:[36][37]

These same sources also consider "Mainline" other denominations outside the US, including:

Historically African American denominations are usually categorized differently from evangelicals or mainline.[60]However, in 2014 theChristian Centuryidentified that these groups "fit the mainline description."[61]

Though not listed as mainline in either theAssociation of Religion Data Archivesor thePew Researchclassifications, two groups also appeal to this label.

Some denominations with similar names and historical ties to the Seven Sisters mainline groups are not considered mainline: TheSouthern Baptist Convention(SBC) [13.2 million],[70]Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod(LCMS) [1.8 million],[71]theChurches of ChristandChristian churches[1.1 million each],[72][73]thePresbyterian Church in America(PCA) [0.4 million],[74]theAnglican Church in North America(ACNA) [0.13 million],[75]and theConservative Congregational Christian Conference(CCCC) [0.04 million]. After the recent split of the UMC, theGlobal Methodist Church(GMC) could be added to this list, though no official census is currently known. Since these groups are tootheologically conservativeto be considered mainline, those strictly adhering to historicalrules of faithare grouped asconfessional,while those without are grouped asevangelical.

*The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches is considered to be evangelical by Pew Research[76]while the Association of Religion Data Archives considered it to be mainline.

Theology

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Variation

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Mainline Protestantism is characterized by theological and ideologicalpluralism.While doctrinal standards and confessional statements exist, these are not usually interpreted in ways to exclude people from membership. Richard Hutcheson Jr., chairman of the Office of Review and Evaluation of thePresbyterian Church in the United States,observed that clergy candidates were more likely to be rejected due to "excessive narrowness" than for violating confessional standards.[77]

Mainline churches hold a range of theological orientations—conservative,moderate andliberal.[78]About half of mainline Protestants describe themselves as liberal.[78]Mainline Christian groups are often more accepting of other beliefs and faiths, affirm theordination of women,and have become increasingly affirming ofgay ordination.[78]Nearly one-third of mainline Protestants call themselves conservative, and most local mainline congregations have a strong, active conservative element.[78]Mainline denominations are historicallyTrinitarianand proclaimJesus Christas Lord and Son of God.

In practice, mainline churches tend to be theologically moderate and influenced byhigher criticism,an approach used by scholars to separate the Bible's earliest historical elements from perceived later additions and intentional distortions. Mainline denominations generally teach that the Bible is God's Word in function, but that it must beinterpretedboth through the lens of the cultures in which it was originally written, and examined using God-given reason. A 2008 survey conducted by thePew Research Centerfound that only 22 percent of the 7,500 mainline Christians surveyed said the Bible is God's Word and is to be interpreted as literally true, word for word. Thirty-eight percent thought that the Bible is God's Word but is not to be taken literally, word for word. Twenty-eight percent said the Bible was not theWord of Godbut was of human origin.[79]

It has been noted, even by members of mainline churches, that the leadership of denominational agencies and bureaucracies has often been more theologically and socially liberal than the overall membership of the mainline churches. This gap has caused feelings of alienation among conservative mainline Protestants.[80]This dissatisfaction has led to the formation of variousConfessing Movementsorcharismatic renewal movementswhich are more conservative in tone.

Social justice

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The mainline denominations emphasize the biblical concept of justice, stressing the need for Christians to work forsocial justice,which usually involve politically liberal approaches to social and economic problems. Early in the 20th century, they actively supported theSocial Gospel.

Mainline churches were basicallypacifisticbefore 1940, but under the influence of people such asReinhold Niebuhrthey supportedWorld War IIand theCold War.[81]They have been far from uniform in their reaction to issues of gender and sexuality, though they tend to be more accepting than theCatholic Churchor the more conservative Protestant churches.[82]

Social issues

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Harvard College,a favorite choice ofAmerican upper classes.Having a college degree is common among Episcopalians and Presbyterians.[83]

Many mainline denominations are active in voicing perspectives on social issues. Almost all mainline denominations are gender-inclusive and ordain women.[84]On abortion issues, the Episcopal Church (TEC), Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA), Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and United Church of Christ (UCC) are members of theReligious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.[85]The United Methodist Church (UMC) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) support exceptions, when abortion may be necessary, but do not endorse the procedure.[86][87]Other denominations, such as the Church of the Brethren and Mennonite Church USA, are against abortion.[88][89]

Regarding human sexuality, TEC, the ELCA, PC(USA), Society of Friends (Quaker), UUA, and UCC recognize same-gender marriages.[90]Also considered mainline, the Anglican Church of Canada,[91]Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada,[92]and United Church of Canada bless or marry same-gender couples.[93]In 2015, the Mennonite Church Canada saw its first same-gender marriage in one of its congregations.[94]The American Baptist Churches USA does not perform same-gender marriages, but allows each congregation the freedom to decide for itself.[95]Including the aforementioned denominations, the Mennonite Church USA, Metropolitan Community Church, and Moravian Church Northern Province license or ordain openly gay clergy.[96][97]While the UMC does not nationally ordain gay or lesbian clergy, the New York Annual Conference, a regional body of the UMC, has ordained the denomination's first openly gay and lesbian clergy.[98]The Western Jurisdiction of the UMC also elected the denomination's first openly gay bishop.[99]Some congregations of the Church of the Brethren have also voted to perform same-gender marriages although the national denomination opposes this practice.[100]

Most of the above denominations also ordain openly transgender clergy. While the national church has not approved of gay or lesbian clergy, the UMC has allowed transgender pastors.[101]

Politically, mainline churches are also active. While no particular candidate can be endorsed, mainline churches often invite political speakers. At the 2016 General Conference for theAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church,ahistorically Black denominationbut also identified as mainline,Hillary Clintonwas invited to offer an address for the delegates and clergy.[102]

Statistical decline

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The term "mainline" once implied a certain numerical majority or dominant presence in mainstream society, but that is no longer the case. Protestant churches as a whole have slowly declined in total membership since the 1960s. As the national population has grown these churches have shrunk from 63% of the population in 1970 to 54% by 2000, and 48% in 2012, ceasing to be the religious category for the majority of Americans. This statistic may be inaccurate due to the number of former or historically mainline Protestants who continue to espouse mainline Protestant values without active church attendance.[103]American affiliation with mainline denominations declined from 55% of all Protestants in 1973 to 46% in 1998.[104][105]The number of mainline congregations in the U. S. declined from more than 80,000 churches in the 1950s to about 72,000 in 2008.[106]

Various causes of mainline decline in population have been cited. Much analysis has taken place both from those within and outside mainline denominations. Key factors indicate that all types of churches can and do grow, regardless of hymnody or contemporary music, type of liturgy, average age of worshiper, or location[107]On average, however, churches in rural areas, churches with older congregants, and churches with fewer young people involved struggle most to add members and grow churches. For example, of all churches founded since 1993, 54% are experiencing growth, while that is true for only 28% of congregations founded prior to 1900.[108]As demographics change, the churches founded by earlier generations often struggle to adapt to changing conditions, including the declines or shifts in the age and ethnicity of local populations. Says David Roozen, Director of Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religion Research, "Location, Location, Location used to be the kind way that researchers described the extent to which the growth or decline of American congregations was captive to the demographic changes going on in their immediate neighborhoods."[109]Age demographics cannot be overlooked as a real factor in congregational decline, with the birthrate for mainline Protestants well below what is needed to maintain membership numbers.[110]

TheBarna Group,anEvangelicalsurveyor, has noted, Protestant pastors who serve mainline churches serve on average half as long as Protestant pastors in non-mainline churches.[106]This may contribute to decline and may be influenced in part by theUnited Methodist Churchpractice of Itinerancy, where clergy are intentionally moved from one church to another as often as yearly in an effort to support and encourage the United Methodist tradition of strong lay ministry. Mainline churches have also had difficulty attracting minorities, particularly Hispanics. Hispanics comprise 6 percent of the mainline population but 16 percent of the US population. According to the Barna Group report, the failure of mainline Protestants to add substantial numbers of Hispanics is portent for the future, given both the rapid increase of the Hispanic population as well as the outflow of Hispanics from Catholicism to Protestant churches in the past decade, most of whom are selecting evangelical orPentecostalProtestant churches.[106]

In general, however, decline can be a difficult thing to statistically quantify. Many older Protestant churches lived a vibrant lifetime and continue to evidence vital ministry and faith regardless of declining populations or birthrates. For example, giving and engagement with need and justice, both indicators of strong Christian faith, have increased despite the aging and loss of congregational members.[111]

Contrast with other Protestant denominations

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While various Protestant denominations have experienced declining membership, the most pronounced changes have occurred among mainline churches. Demographic trends for evangelical and historicallyAfrican-American churcheshave been more stable. According to the Pew Research Center, mainline churches could claim 14.7 percent of all US adults compared to 25.4 percent who belonged to evangelical churches in 2014.[112][113][114]

Demographers Hout, Greeley, and Wilde have attributed the long-term decline in mainline membership and the concomitant growth in the conservative Protestant denominations to four basic causes: birth rates; switching to conservative denominations; departure from Protestantism to "no religion" (i.e. secularization); and conversions from non-Protestant sources.[105]In their analysis, by far the main cause is birth rates—low for the mainline bodies, and high for the conservatives. The second most important factor is that fewer conservatives switch to mainline denominations than before. Despite speculation to the contrary, Hout, Greeley, and Wilde argue that switching from a mainline to a conservative denomination is not important in accounting for the trend, because it is fairly constant over the decades. Finally, conservative denominations have had a greater inflow of converts.[105]Their analysis gives no support for the notion that theological or social conservatism or liberalism has much impact on long-term growth trends.[115]

Evidence from theGeneral Social Surveyindicates that higher fertility and earlier childbearing among women from conservative denominations explains 76% of the observed trend: conservative denominations have grown their own. Mainline denomination members have the lowest birthrate among American Christian groups. Unless there is a surge of new members, rising death rates are predicted to diminish their ranks even further in the years ahead.[78]

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See also:Protestant work ethic
Forest Hills, QueensinNew York Cityarea is an affluent area with a population of wealthy mainline Protestants

Some other findings of the Barna Group:

  • From 1958 to 2008, mainline church membership dropped by more than one-quarter to roughly 20 million people—15 percent of all American adults.
  • From 1998 to 2008, there was a 22 percent drop in the percentage of adults attending mainline congregations who have children under the age of 18 living in their home.
  • In 2009, nearly 40 percent of mainline church attendees were single. This increase has been driven higher by a rise in the number of divorced and widowed adherents.
  • From 1998 to 2008, volunteerism dropped 21 percent; adultSunday schoolparticipation decreased 17 percent.
  • The average age of a mainline pastor in 1998 was 48 and increased to 55 by 2009.
  • Pastors on average remain with a congregation for four years compared to twice that length for non-mainline church leaders.[106]

Recent statistics from the Pew Forum provide additional explanations for the decline.

  • Evangelical church members are younger than those in mainline denominations. Fourteen percent of evangelical congregations are between 18 and 29 (compared to 2 percent), 36 percent between 30 and 49, 28 percent between 50 and 64, and 23 percent 65 or older.

Not paralleling the decline in membership is the household income of members of mainline denominations. Overall, it is higher than that of evangelicals:

  • 25% reported less than a $30,000 income per year.
  • 21% reported $30,000–$49,999 per year.
  • 18% reported $50,000–$74,999 per year.
  • 15% reported $75,000–$99,999 per year.
  • 21% reported an income of $100,000 per year or more, compared to only 13 percent of evangelicals.[79]

History

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See also:History of Protestantism in the United States
Old Ship Church,an oldPuritanmeetinghouse currently used by aUnitarian Universalistcongregation

While the term "mainline" was not applied to churches until the 20th century, mainline churches trace their history to theProtestant Reformationof the 16th century. The largest and most influential Protestant denominations in Britain'sThirteen Colonieswere theAnglicans(after the American Revolution called Episcopalians) and theCongregationalists(from which theUnitarianswould later split).[116]These were later surpassed in size and influence by the evangelical denominations: the Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists. Sharing a common Reformation heritage with Episcopal and Congregational churches, these denominations together created the mainline.[117]It was, according to historian Jason Lantzer, "the emerging evangelical movement that would help forge the Seven Sisters and which provides a core to the wide variety of theological and doctrinal differences, shaping them into a more coherent whole."[116]

TheGreat Awakeningignited controversy within Protestant churches betweenOld Lights and New Lights(orOld Side and New Sideamong Presbyterians). Led by figures such as the Congregationalist ministerCharles Chauncy,Old Lights opposed the evangelicalrevivalismat the heart of the Awakening, while New Lights, led by fellow Congregationalist ministerJonathan Edwards,supported the revivals and argued for the importance of having aconversionexperience. By the 1800s, Chauncy's followers had drifted toward forms of theological liberalism, such asUniversalism,UnitarianismandTranscendentalism.[118]

Lady ChapelinChurch of the Good Shepherd,a 19th-CenturyAnglo-CatholicEpiscopal Church inPennsylvania

TheSecond Great Awakeningwould inaugurate a period of evangelical dominance within American mainline Protestantism that would last over a century.[117]The Second Great Awakening was a catalyst for the reform of society. Efforts to improve the rights of women, reforming prisons, establishing free public schools, prohibiting alcohol, and (in the North) abolishing slavery were promoted by mainline churches.[119]

After theCivil War,however, tensions between evangelicals and non-evangelicals would re-emerge. As the practice ofhistorical criticismspread to the United States, conflict overbiblical inspirationerupted within Protestant churches. Conservative Protestants led byA. A. Hodge,B. B. Warfieldand otherPrinceton theologiansargued forbiblical inerrancy,while liberal theologians such asCharles A. BriggsofUnion Theological Seminarywere open to using historical criticism to understand the Bible.[120]

As 19th–century evangelicals embraceddispensational premillennialismand retreated from society in the face of mounting social problems caused by industrialization, urbanization and immigration, liberal Protestants embraced theSocial Gospel,which worked for the "regeneration of society" rather than only the conversion of individuals.[121]

TheFundamentalist–Modernist Controversyof the 1920s widened the division between evangelical and non-evangelical Protestants as the two sides fought for control over the mainline denominations. Thefundamentalistslost these battles for control to the modernists or liberals.[120]Since the 1920s, mainline churches have been associated with liberal Protestantism.[121]

EpiscopaliansandPresbyterianWASPstend to be considerably wealthier[122]and better educated than most other religious groups in America,[123]and are disproportionately represented in the upper reaches of Americanbusiness,[124]law and politics, and for many years were especially dominant in theRepublican Party.[125]Numbers of thewealthiest and most affluent American families,such as theVanderbiltsandAstors,Rockefeller,who were Baptists,[126]Du Pont,Roosevelt,Forbes,Fords,[126]Mellons,[126]Whitneys,theMorgansand Harrimans are Episcopalian and Presbyterian families.[122]

Through the 1940s and 1950s,neo-orthodoxyhad become the prevailing theological approach within the mainline churches. This neo-orthodox consensus, however, gave way to resurgent liberal theologies in the 1960s and toliberation theologyduring the 1970s.[80]

Recent history

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Mainline Protestants were a majority of Protestants in the United States until the mid-20th century. A dip in membership across all Christian denominations was more pronounced among mainline groups, with the result that mainline groups no longer comprise the majority.[127]In 2020, Public Religion Research Institute conducted a religious census, based on self-identification, finding that an estimated 16% of U.S. Americans identified as non-Hispanic white mainline Protestants, slightly outnumbering non-Hispanic white evangelical Protestants who were 14% of the American population.[128][129]In 2014, Pew Research completed and published theReligious Landscape Surveyin which it was estimated that 14.7% of Americans identified as mainline Protestant, excluding historically Black and African American denominations, while 25.4% identified as evangelical Protestants, also excluding membership in historically Black denominations.[130]

Mainline churches share an active approach to social issues that often leads to cooperation in organizations such as theNational Council of Churches.[131]Because of their involvement with theecumenical movement,mainline churches are sometimes (especially outside the United States) given the alternative label of ecumenical Protestantism.[132]These churches played a leading role in theSocial Gospelmovement and were active in social causes such as thecivil rights movementand thewomen's movement.[133]As a group, the mainline churches have maintained religious doctrine that stressessocial justiceand personalsalvation.[114]Members of mainline denominations have played leadership roles in politics, business, science, the arts, and education. They were involved in the founding of leading institutes of higher education.[134]Marsden argues that in the 1950s, "Mainline Protestant leaders were part of the liberal-moderate cultural mainstream, and their leading spokespersons were respected participants in the national conversation."[135]

Some mainline Protestant denominations have the highest proportion of graduate and post-graduate degrees of any other denomination in the United States.[136]Some also include the highest proportion of those with some college education, such as theEpiscopal Church(76%),[136]thePresbyterian Church (U.S.A.)(64%),[136]and theUnited Church of Christ(46%),[137]as well as the most of theAmerican upper class.[136]compared with the nationwide average of 50%.[136]Episcopalians and Presbyterians also tend to be considerably wealthier[138]and better educated than most other religious groups,[139]and they were disproportionately represented in the upper reaches of US business and law until the 1950s.[124]

In the 1990s four of the US Supreme Court Justices were Mainline Protestants:Sandra Day O'Connor,John Paul Stevens,William RehnquistandDavid Souter.

From 1854 until at least 1964, Mainline Protestants and their descendants were heavilyRepublican.[125]In recent decades, Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats.[140]

From 1965 to 1988, mainline church membership declined from 31 million to 25 million, then fell to 21 million in 2005.[141]While in 1970 the mainline churches claimed most Protestants and more than 30 percent of the population as members,[105]today they are a minority among Protestants; in 2009, only 15 percent of Americans were adherents.[106]APew Forumstatistic revealed the same share in 2014.[142]

See also

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References

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  4. ^abcdWorld Encyclopaedia of Interfaith Studies: World religions.Jnanada Prakashan. 2009.ISBN978-81-7139-280-3.In the most common sense, "mainstream" refers to Nicene Christianity, or rather the traditions which continue to claim adherence to the Nicene Creed.
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  8. ^abcdCoalter, Mulder & Weeks 1990:"Some would say the term 'mainstream' or 'mainline' is itself suspect and embodies ethnocentric and elitist assumptions.... be dropped in favor of talking about 'liberal' Protestantism, but such a change presents additional problems".
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