CHURCHES DID NOT WELCOME
Our family returned to the U.S. last summer after nearly two decades of living abroad, where we were active in several international congregations. We settled into an attractive east-coast college town, assured by Forbes and other surveyors of great places to live that we were practically relocating in paradise. The many beautiful churches of the historic town were part of its appeal, and having read of the steady membership decline of most mainline denominations we were certain that we would be eagerly embraced. Our travels had inculcated a tolerance for diversity and an acceptance of the vagaries of interdenominational churches. The factor most important to us was a friendly welcome, for we knew from past experience that we would make most of our friends at church. Also, we hoped to orient our two college students in a local church by summer’s end. With a dozen university-related churches within two miles of our doorstep, we anticipated an abundance of fellowship for…
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