The more liberal mainline denominations have experienced substantial decline while others have seen healthy growth. Since 1980 the following shifts have occurred:
· United Methodist Church declined 20.2%
· Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declined 2.2%
· Presbyterian Church (USA) declined 12.6%
· Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod grew 8.8%
· Southern Baptists Convention grew 61.2%
· Roman Catholic Church grew 45.4%
(1998 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches)
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