Mainline (Protestant) 640895 215256026 2008-05-27T12:04:33Z 119.224.2.253 : ''for other uses see [[Mainline (disambiguation)]] {{portal|Christianity}} The '''mainline''' (also sometimes called [[mainstream]]) or '''mainline Protestant''' [[Religious denomination|denomination]]s are those [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations with a mix of moderate and liberal [[theology|theologies]]. The hallmark of the mainline churches is ''moderation''. Their theologies tend to be influenced by the [[Historical-critical method]] and culture at large, consciously or not. Ministers and members of mainline churches generally are comfortable with [[inclusive language]] translations of the [[Bible]]. They tend to be open to new ideas and societal changes without abandoning what they consider to be the historical basis of the [[Christian]] faith.<ref>[http://www.ecai.org/nara/nara_article.html The Decline of Mainline Protestantism]</ref> This places them to the left of the [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] churches. They have been increasingly open to the [[ordination of women]]. They have been far from uniform in their reaction to [[LGBT social movements|homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals]], though less [[dogma]]tic on these issues than either the [[Roman Catholic Church]] or the more conservative Protestant churches. Mainline churches take no set view with regard to military service — all provide chaplains to the [[United States armed forces]] and none are historically [[peace churches]] except the [[Church of the Brethren]] — but express reservations about aggressive use of military force for any reason. Mainline churches tend to belong to organizations such as the [[National Council of Churches]] and [[World Council of Churches]]. == Beliefs == Many or most mainline denominations teach that the Bible is God's word in function, but also remain open to new understandings of it. Few would suggest that the Bible was verbally and [[Plenary|plenarily]] inspired as some [[Biblical_inerrancy|biblical inerrantist]]s maintain. Most mainline denominations do not expect strict acceptance of everything written about or spoken by [[Jesus]] in the [[New Testament]]. Most are [[Trinity|Trinitarian]], however, meaning they accept and/or require belief in the doctrine that God exists as one "essence" in three "persons": [[God_the_Father|the Father]], the Son ([[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]) and the [[Holy Spirit]]. == Use of the term ''mainline'' == The term ''mainline'' may imply a certain numerical majority or dominant presence in mainstream society that is no longer accurate. The [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] (ARDA) counts 26,344,933 members of mainline churches versus 39,930,869 members of evangelical Protestant churches.<ref name="ardomain">[http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/mainline.asp Mainline protestant denominations]</ref> There is evidence that there has been a shift in membership from mainline denominations to other churches.<ref>[http://www.leanalytics.com/research/ExeSummaryChurchFinanceMarket.pdf "The U.S. Church Finance Market: 2005-2010"] Non-denominational membership doubled between 1990 and 2001. ([[April 1]], [[2006]] report)</ref> The inclusion of a denomination in the mainline category does not imply that every member of that denomination, nor even every member of their [[clergy]], accepts some of the beliefs generally held in common by other mainline churches. They allow considerable theological latitude. Moreover, mainline denominations have within them [[Confessing Movement]]s or charismatic renewal movements which are more conservative in tone. {{Template:Denominations of the United States‎}} Some denominations with similar names, and historical ties to mainline groups are not considered mainline. For example, while the [[American Baptist Churches]], the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], and the [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]] are mainline, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], [[Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod]], and the [[Presbyterian Church in America]] are [[Evangelical]]. == Mainline denominations == The [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] considers these denominations to be mainline:<ref name="ardomain" /> * [[American Baptist Churches USA|American Baptist Churches in the USA]] 1,442,824 members (2001)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1454.asp ABC membership]</ref> * [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)]] 804,842 members (2001)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1071.asp DoC membership]</ref> * Congregational Christian Churches, (not part of any national CCC body) * [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]] 2,369,477 members * [[Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church]] * [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] 4,850,000 members (2007)<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070313/26305_Lutherans_Report_Global_Membership_Increase%2C_Western_Decrease.htm Lutherans Report Global Membership Increase]</ref> * [[International Council of Community Churches]] 200,263 members (2000)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1313.asp ICCC membership]</ref> * [[Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] * [[Metropolitan Community Church|Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches]] 44,000 members (1998)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1142.asp UFMCC membership]</ref> * [[Moravian Church]] in America, Alaska Province * [[American Provinces of the Moravian Church|Moravian Church]] in America, Northern Province 24,650 members (2003)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1334.asp Moravian Northern Province membership]</ref> * [[American Provinces of the Moravian Church|Moravian Church]] in America, Southern Province 21,513 members (1991)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1335.asp Moravian Southern Province membership]</ref> * [[National Association of Congregational Christian Churches]] 65,569 members (2000)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1462.asp NACCC membership]</ref> * [[North American Baptist Conference]] * [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]] 2,300,000 members (2007)<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070609/27876_Presbyterians_Report_2006_Losses%2C_Gains.htm Presbyterians Report 2006 Losses]</ref> * [[Reformed Church in America]] 285,453 members (2001)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_934.asp Reformed membership]</ref> * [[Religious Society of Friends]] (Quakers) * [[United Church of Christ]] 1,359,105 members (2001)<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1463.asp UCC membership]</ref> * [[United Methodist Church]] 8,070,000 members (2006)<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060425/22581_Methodists_Continue_to_See_Consistent_Drop_in_U.S._Church_Membership.htm Methodists Continue to See Consistent Drop in U.S. Church Membership]</ref> The largest U.S. mainline churches are sometimes referred to as the ''[[Seven Sisters (disambiguation)|Seven Sisters]] of American Protestantism''.*<ref>[http://www.resourcingchristianity.org/Project.aspx?ID=850011 Protestant Establishment I (Craigville Conference)]</ref> The term was apparently coined by William Hutchison<ref>Hutchison, William, ''Between the Times: The Travail of the Protestant Establishment in America, 1900-1960'' (1989), Cambridge U. Press, ISBN 0-521-40601-3</ref> in reference to the major liberal groups of [[American Baptist]]s, [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]], [[United Church of Christ|Congregationalists / United Church of Christ]], [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopalians]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Methodism|Methodists]], and [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]] during the period between 1900 and 1960. The Association of Religion Data Archives has difficulties collecting data on traditionally [[African American]] denominations. Those churches most likely to be identified as mainline include these [[Methodism|Methodist]] groups: * [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]] * [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]] == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Christian group structuring]] [[Category:Christianity in the United States]] [[Category:Protestantism]] [[de:Mainline Church]]