Not a good picture – Image of the churches continues to melt away

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It’s almost irrelevant whether you look at Germany or Switzerland. The reputation of the institutional churches is declining. Only a minority can still find any appreciation for the Reformed (Protestant) and Catholic churches.

Deep scratches on the image of the churches

The reputation of the major churches, namely the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, is reaching ever lower levels. The willingness to turn one’s back on religious institutions continues to rise in Switzerland, too. Around one in five members of the Swiss Reformed churches is considering leaving the church. The proportion is even slightly higher among Catholics, according to a survey conducted in September and October 2024. (Source).

Among the Reformed Churches, 21 percent of members are considering leaving the church. Among Roman Catholics, the proportion is even more than a quarter, at 27 percent.

When asked about the perceived image of the Reformed Church, 37 percent of respondents saw a positive image. Among church members, the figure is 64 percent. Only 15 percent expressed a positive opinion of the Catholic Church. 65 percent, in contrast, had a decidedly negative opinion. Among church members, the proportion of “satisfied” people is (only) 38 percent.

Putting on a brave face

In light of similar figures in Germany, the head of the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) expresses a certain “purposeful optimism.” Anna-Nicole Heinrich emphasizes that the church is better than its reputation. The (remaining) members make an “indispensable contribution” to coexistence within society. They help overcome current “crises and hardships” through millennia-old traditions, Heinrich said.

The President of the EKD Synod, however, emphasizes that there are divisions within individual groups. For some, the church is too left-wing, while others advocate for the church to stay away from political issues, and another calls for expanded engagement with refugees. (Source).

The development of the number of members of both churches in Germany presents a similar picture. Especially in recent years, the number of church resignations has been more like a flight than a regular departure. (Development).

Nothing Left of the Original

Positive or negative poll results, disputes between interest groups. These may well be real events, but they clearly illustrate that the (former) church, which once “protested,” has completely abandoned its core mission: communicating the “good news,” the gospel, as it is written. This was not expected of the Roman Catholic Church, for it would be squaring the circle. (Info).

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)