Changes in the Landscape of North American Religion:

Current books and articles on church life show a pretty consistent them that Mainline Protestant congregations are facing declines.

Several writers suggest that much of what is being faced today is not so much about the local congregation, as it is about changes in the landscape of North American religion. One factor in this landscape is a change in the role of the local congregation/church in our society and the changes in this society. A bigger, and critical factor, many say, is that the era of American Religion is over. There is an opportunity in these changes. Now, the door is now open for congregations, leaders and ministries to rediscover mission, spirituality and encounters with our living God.
At the same time, the end of American Religion, as most of us have known it, means we have “lost” (and are losing) a good deal. We’re losing “church” as we’ve always known it. We’re losing many clear-cut roles in the life of the larger society. We’re embarking into a landscape where none of us have ever been before.

It is important for us to recognize that these “losses” precipitate grief and grieving in all of its forms. After all something important is coming to an end in our lifetimes. It is also important for us to recognize our grieving and sense of loss so that we can name it and cope with it rather unintentionally and unconsciously misdirecting our anger, frustration and sense of helplessness.

What things do you sense "losing" as the landscape changes? How are you handling the sense of "loss" and grief?