Just recently, I read an essay in First Things by a Presbyterian theologian named Carl Trueman. The essay was titled “A Protestant Apocalypse?’ Trueman has been talking to protestant pastors and church leaders, and they are concerned about the long-term effects of this pandemic season. Some of them are making dire predictions and may have some reason to be concerned.
One denominational leader said they expected perhaps a third of their churches to close in the coming months (he did not mention which denomination this was). Another predicted that as many as 30% of Protestant churchgoers may not return to church gatherings, after all, is said and done.
People seem to have figured out that it’s much easier to do church at home. You switch on the Livestream, get an hour’s worth of uplifting music and inspirational teaching, and you don’t even have to take a shower or get dressed.
