RE: RE: Hard Times For Protestant Churches?

Tucker Miller opines:

I'd say Andy's assessment is on the right track. My sister and her family recently left their Presbyterian church for an independent church that could be considered more "conservative". Also, look at the growth of these huge "megachurches." (Many of which have stores selling Jesus t-shirts, bobble heads, etc. Wouldn't the real Jesus love that?) In juxtaposition, the Southern Baptist convention is losing membership because many of its long time members are opposed to the hardline stance the convention takes on some social issues, i.e., women's roles in the church and even her own home.
But here in lies the main problem. Why are there so many "political" debates taking place in the churches anyway? I would assert that the majority of churchgoers do not attend in order to participate in social and/or political debates, but rather are seeking some sort of spiritual fulfillment. And when congregations are caught up in partisan bickering instead of worship and mission work in communities, attendance is sure to drop.
When a church takes a political stance on divisive issues -liberal or conservative- it is going to alienate somebody.
Politics should be flushed out of churches and the emphasis should be placed back on the teachings of Jesus and doing mission work that benefits the less fortunate. It is the leaders of the denominations who are running off their congregations by picking so many divisive battles.