Leaked U.K. Attendance Numbers Show Mass Defections and Declining Attendance Prior to Pandemic

[Fair Dinkum]

Once the engine of church growth, the pre-pandemic church in the U.K. is now seeing mass defections and declining member attendance. Seen Here nearly every ward and branch is in decline.  The numbers are for entire Stakes. Over all church attendance even before the pandemic is sitting at just 14%*. 14% attendance for the U.K. , that's incredible.  Entire wards are struggling to even get 50 members to attend per month.  Repeat WARDS not branches, branches are even worse.

Is this a canary in the coal mine moment for the church.  If the church can't survive in England, Scotland and Wales how can it ever expect to survive in other 1st world countries.  Evidently the internet is taking a massive toll on the church and the leadership seem to have been caught flat footed with little to nothing to answer with but to pray, pay and obey.

The most devastating pre-pandemic statistic is that most of this exit has been within the last 3 year before the pandemic,  13.17% decline alone.  So the rush to the exit doors is accelerating not waning and there does not seem to be any sign of this exit slowing down.

This break my heart.  I have family in England and they have shared with me their personal stories of the depth of the sacrifices they have made to the church. Many now see their efforts for naught as entire multi generational families have left and have no desire to ever return.

A neighbor confided with me recently on his return from serving a mission in the U.K., he and his wife's entire 18 month mission did not involve any proselyting, instead they spent their entire mission in an attempt to reactivate lapsed members.  He shared this shocking anecdote from a GA who, I will keep unnamed. The GA said, "Worldwide pre-pandemic Church attendance is hovering around 25%  The brethren are worried".   This would make the real church numbers of those who self Identify as Mormon at around 4 Million not the claimed 16 million.

The only bright spot is Africa where the church continues to see strong growth.

*NOTE: The church claims nearly 188,000 members in the U.K. so with only 27,000 attending that equates to 14% attendance.

Edited August 23, 2021 by Fair Dinkum

[Calm]

I see a spreadsheet. Where is the explanation that explains what everything is and where it was from and more important, demonstrates it is not just someone who was bored and created it themselves?

Edited August 23, 2021 by Calm

[Fair Dinkum]

11 minutes ago, Calm said:

I see a spreadsheet. Where is the explanation that explains what everything is and where it was from and more important, demonstrates it is not just someone who was bored and created it themselves?

I'm only sharing what was leaked.  On the left you see each stake in the U.K. listed with the attendance numbers for each year.  Take it for what's its worth. 

[LoudmouthMormon]

 

Yep, looks like attendance is declining a little in the UK.  (Assuming these are real leaked numbers)

 

Edited August 23, 2021 by LoudmouthMormon

[Calm]

4 minutes ago, Fair Dinkum said:

I'm only sharing what was leaked.  On the left you see each stake in the U.K. listed with the attendance numbers for each year.  Take it for what's its worth. 

How do we know it is leaked, what is the story?  Who was it leaked to, who allegedly leaked it?  What makes this credible at all?  If there is no source, but you, how do we know this isn’t something you created?

At this point it is worth nothing. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by Calm

[Fether]

If this is true, and I have little reason to doubt it, but even less reason to believe it, then this is nothing more than a fulfillment of prophecy and a repeat of what we see in scripture.

When I look at the end of the world, the apocalypse, last days, or whatever you want to call it. I don’t see Gods church being the dominant faith in the world. I see Gods church being only filled with the elect of God, which are small in number.

Edited August 23, 2021 by Fether

[LoudmouthMormon]

7 minutes ago, LoudmouthMormon said:

 

 

41 minutes ago, Fair Dinkum said:

incredible.  Entire wards are struggling to even get 50 members to attend
...
most devastating
...
rush to the exit
...
This break my heart

 

6 minutes ago, Fether said:

end of the world, the apocalypse, last days

 

Would it help if I colored the line a scarier red?

Edited August 23, 2021 by LoudmouthMormon

[Fair Dinkum]

20 minutes ago, Calm said:

How do we know it is leaked, what is the story?  Who was it leaked to, who allegedly leaked it?  What makes this credible at all?  If there is no source, but you, how do we know this isn’t something you created?

At this point it is worth nothing. 

The church collects attendance numbers monthly from every stake in the church. Church leadership know exactly how many members are attending church.  They have chosen not to share these numbers with church membership for what ever reasons.  I do know the name of the individual who leaked these numbers.  I believe them to be authentic.  I respect your skepticism if you don't.  

[Fair Dinkum]

29 minutes ago, Fether said:

If this is true, and I have little reason to doubt it, but even less reason to believe it, then this is nothing more than a fulfillment of prophecy and a repeat of what we see in scripture.

When I look at the end of the world, the apocalypse, last days, or whatever you want to call it. I don’t see Gods church being the dominant faith in the world. I see Gods church being only filled with the elect of God, which are small in number.

Glad I can offer something that strengthens your testimony.

[Duncan]

"Once the engine of church growth" that was over 100 years ago, it hasn't been the "engine" since then. Read bios on anyone who served a mission in the UK since like 1900 and you feel for them

[Fair Dinkum]

10 minutes ago, Duncan said:

"Once the engine of church growth" that was over 100 years ago, it hasn't been the "engine" since then. Read bios on anyone who served a mission in the UK since like 1900 and you feel for them

There is a massive wave of apostasy taking place in the U.K., yes you are correct that the U.K. hasn't contributed to the overall church growth in a while, but these recent defections are new and disturbing.  Knowing the sacrifices church members have made in the U.K. and to now see them rewarded like this does break my heart.  It is only going to get worse as more and more throw in the towel.  I see what is taking place in the U.K as a death spiral. It is a trend that we have seen in Europe as well.  

Edited August 23, 2021 by Fair Dinkum

[MustardSeed]

All I know about numbers is that attendance in my area is drastically reduced since COVID.  That said, many people have fled the state so maybe other states numbers have exploded. 

[Fair Dinkum]

11 minutes ago, MustardSeed said:

All I know about numbers is that attendance in my area is drastically reduced since COVID.  That said, many people have fled the state so maybe other states numbers have exploded. 

yes the pandemic has taken a toll as well.  These leaked attendance numbers are from before the pandemic however.

[rodheadlee]

Perhaps you should read Lehi's dream again.

[bluebell]

46 minutes ago, Duncan said:

"Once the engine of church growth" that was over 100 years ago, it hasn't been the "engine" since then. Read bios on anyone who served a mission in the UK since like 1900 and you feel for them

My husband served there in the mid 90s.  Most wards were a huge mess and many had very few members attending.

[Fair Dinkum]

16 minutes ago, bluebell said:

My husband served there in the mid 90s.  Most wards were a huge mess and many had very few members attending.

It's only gotten worse

[Duncan]

Do these numbers account for move outs? I know 3 folks who are active people from England, met someone online and are now still active in the US or Canada

[Fair Dinkum]

37 minutes ago, rodheadlee said:

Perhaps you should read Lehi's dream again.

So when the church is growing, we're Daniel's Stone cut without hands rolling forth to fill the entire earth, and when its shrinking we're fulfilling Lehi's dream of a small band of faithful reaching eternal life with everyone else falling away.  Gotcha.  I love that no mater what happens the church always wins.

I wonder what the excuse will be in a 100-500 years when Christ has still failed to show up.

Edited August 23, 2021 by Fair Dinkum

[Fair Dinkum]

15 minutes ago, Duncan said:

Do these numbers account for move outs? I know 3 folks who are active people from England, met someone online and are now still active in the US or Canada

It's based on annual attendance in a local U.K. stake only. The average monthly attendance for say the Birmingham stake is 32 per month.  That is for an entire Stake.  I don't see how the church can run a single program with these attendance numbers

Edited August 23, 2021 by Fair Dinkum

[Duncan]

1 hour ago, Fair Dinkum said:

It's based on annual attendance in a local U.K. stake only. The average monthly attendance for say the Birmingham stake is 32 per month.  That is for an entire Stake.  I don't see how the church can run a single program with these attendance numbers

These numbers are based off of one stake only? why broaden that out for the entire country? 

[CV75]

3 hours ago, Fair Dinkum said:

Once the engine of church growth, the pre-pandemic church in the U.K. is now seeing mass defections and declining member attendance. Seen Here nearly every ward and branch is in decline.  The numbers are for entire Stakes. Over all church attendance even before the pandemic is sitting at just 14%*. 14% attendance for the U.K. , that's incredible.  Entire wards are struggling to even get 50 members to attend per month.  Repeat WARDS not branches, branches are even worse.

Is this a canary in the coal mine moment for the church.  If the church can't survive in England, Scotland and Wales how can it ever expect to survive in other 1st world countries.  Evidently the internet is taking a massive toll on the church and the leadership seem to have been caught flat footed with little to nothing to answer with but to pray, pay and obey.

The most devastating pre-pandemic statistic is that most of this exit has been within the last 3 year before the pandemic,  13.17% decline alone.  So the rush to the exit doors is accelerating not waning and there does not seem to be any sign of this exit slowing down.

This break my heart.  I have family in England and they have shared with me their personal stories of the depth of the sacrifices they have made to the church. Many now see their efforts for naught as entire multi generational families have left and have no desire to ever return.

A neighbor confided with me recently on his return from serving a mission in the U.K., he and his wife's entire 18 month mission did not involve any proselyting, instead they spent their entire mission in an attempt to reactivate lapsed members.  He shared this shocking anecdote from a GA who, I will keep unnamed. The GA said, "Worldwide pre-pandemic Church attendance is hovering around 25%  The brethren are worried".   This would make the real church numbers of those who self Identify as Mormon at around 4 Million not the claimed 16 million.

The only bright spot is Africa where the church continues to see strong growth.

*NOTE: The church claims nearly 188,000 members in the U.K. so with only 27,000 attending that equates to 14% attendance.

Can you provide the link? Thank you,

[rodheadlee]

1 hour ago, Fair Dinkum said:

So when the church is growing, we're Daniel's Stone cut without hands rolling forth to fill the entire earth, and when its shrinking we're fulfilling Lehi's dream of a small band of faithful reaching eternal life with everyone else falling away.  Gotcha.  I love that no mater what happens the church always wins.

I wonder what the excuse will be in a 100-500 years when Christ has still failed to show up.

If only we were as cynical about our government as we are about our religion. Really though it's up to you to develop your own relationship with Christ and Heavenly Father. I don't count on the church for that. It's only meant to enhance it.

[Fair Dinkum]

13 minutes ago, CV75 said:

Can you provide the link? Thank you,

click on the hyper link in the OP

[sheilauk]

I expect attendance is down, it has gone down in my wards over the years, pre pandemic.  Attendance went up during the pandemic with zoom meetings!  I reckon though that the monthly attendance in my stake is definitely more than 32 per month, each ward I’ve been in is probably at least 20 a week, probably 30+ each a month and there are 5 wards in my stake.

btw,church attendance is down across the board as is people identifying with any religion.  I think our church is doing better than many. The previous church I attended is struggling far more. Too much to do on a Sunday than attend church.

Edited August 23, 2021 by sheilauk

[pogi]

3 hours ago, Fair Dinkum said:

Once the engine of church growth, the pre-pandemic church in the U.K.

Maybe around 200 years ago.

3 hours ago, Fair Dinkum said:

The most devastating pre-pandemic statistic is that most of this exit has been within the last 3 year before the pandemic,  13.17% decline alone.  

I wonder how this compares to religious decline in general in the U.K.  Probably close to on par would be my guess.