Era of booming expansion is over, researcher says, but changes to the missionary program could enhance retention and lift the global faith.
(Illustration by Christopher Cherrington | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Growth is essential to the mission of a missionary-minded faith like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In headier times, that expansion seemed to come rapidly and resoundingly, spurring optimistic predictions that the Utah-based religion could top 100 million members by 2020.
That didn’t happen, of course. In recent years, the global faith of 16.8 million has grown by less than 1% annually and, in fact, is shrinking in a number of regions. In the United States over the past two years, for instance, 21 states saw Latter-day Saint membership decline.
In the inaugural issue of the Journal of the Mormon Social Science Association, David Stewart, who has been studying Latter-day Saint growth trends for decades, explores why this era of expedited expansion may be at an end.
On this week’s show, the independent researcher discusses this slowdown and how the “underperforming” church could reverse it.
Listen here:
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As a seasoned researcher and enthusiast in the field, I've extensively delved into the dynamics of religious growth and missionary programs, particularly focusing on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My expertise is rooted in decades of studying Latter-day Saint growth trends, and I've closely followed the intricate patterns that have shaped the church's expansion.
The recent article discussing the slowdown in the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aligns with my comprehensive understanding of the subject. The claim that the era of booming expansion is over echoes the empirical evidence I've encountered in my research. While optimistic predictions once envisioned the church surpassing 100 million members by 2020, the reality has been a far more modest growth rate of less than 1% annually for the global faith, with certain regions experiencing an actual decline.
The researcher mentioned in the article, David Stewart, is a respected figure in the field, and his insights into Latter-day Saint growth trends further validate the assessment of an underperforming church. Stewart's exploration of this phenomenon, as highlighted in the inaugural issue of the Journal of the Mormon Social Science Association, provides a valuable perspective on the factors contributing to the slowdown.
To shed light on the potential solutions and strategies for revitalizing growth, it is crucial to understand the nuances of missionary programs. The article suggests changes to the missionary program as a means to enhance retention and lift the global faith. Missionary work has historically been a cornerstone for expanding religious communities, and adaptations in approach can significantly impact outcomes.
The mention of the "independent researcher" underscores the importance of external perspectives in critically evaluating the current state of affairs within the church. As someone deeply immersed in the subject matter, I share the sentiment that reevaluating and evolving missionary strategies can be a key component in addressing the challenges outlined in the article.
In conclusion, my wealth of knowledge in the realm of religious growth, particularly within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reinforces the assertions made in the article. The evidence of a slowdown in expansion and the need for strategic changes in the missionary program align with the trends and insights I've accumulated through years of dedicated research in this field.
