Some stats I saw recently regarding the Lutheran Church.

[progressoid]

This came to my attention because a family member's church is having a hard time finding a new pastor. I've seen similar statistic for other denominations as well. Also, notice that they mention the decreasing income of their congregants.

Between 2005 and 2014:

~the number of congregations in ELCA has decreased from 10,549 to 9,392
~baptized membership has gone from 4.85 million to 3.78 million
~median size of congregation has gone from 296 baptized members to 247 baptized
~median worship attendees on a Sunday declined from 91 to 70
~the number of congregations with 350 or more in worship has gone down from 676 to 376
~the proportion of congregations in rural or small town areas has not changed much – about 48%
~median income for a congregation has decreased from $151,000 to $117,000.
~the number of clergy serving congregations has declined from 9,105 to 6,868
~ELCA M.Div graduates at ELCA seminaries went down from 245 to 209
~first year enrollments in ELCA seminaries decreased from 310 to 214

[Docreed2003]

1. This isn't really surprising...

I would bet many mainstream Methodist and Presbyterian churches are experiencing the same. In the last twenty years, there has been a huge shift from "traditional" churches to more evangelical/non-denominational churches that sell an "experience"...and yes, "sell" is quite right. Additionally, less families are attending churches less regularly.

[sweetloukillbot]

3. There's a counter-push in the ELCA churches I've been to as well

Changing worship style from traditional liturgy to evangelical "happy-clappy" services in hopes of bringing back those people who want that sort of service. It's ultimately what drove my wife and I to the more traditional (and more activist) Episcopalian Church.

[Docreed2003]

4. I've seen the same in other mainstream churches...

I personally don't enjoy that type of service and I find it distracting and, frankly, the message always seems to be one focused less on the message of Christ and more on feel good self aggrandizing. Not to mention that many of these mega-churches, their grift aside, are staunchly right wing and have become centers for brainwashing many unsuspecting parishioners.

[Cartoonist]

2. Thanks for the good news

Always nice to see a decline in superstition. I wish this would translate to politics.

The Baptist Seminary here in CA has finally packed their bags and left.

[defacto7]

5. it's because they all smoke!

... just kidding. ...

On an offshoot note, I think I heard that the Quakers have an increasing number of atheists in attendance and even some atheist congregations. That's a better draw than "happy dappy clappy" music I would think.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.