ELCA Membership Drops 1.6 Percent to 4.8 Million in 2006

Today's ELCA press release of the same title as above, which you can link to at http://www.elca.org/news/Releases.asp?a=3641 focuses on membership statistics. I generally measure the size of congregation by how many people actually show up at the regular weekly worship services. I wonder of those statistics are available? When do you think these statistics will translate into actual evangelism? Discussions in our conference, and what I hear at synod gatherings indicate a shift toward a belief that no one, or almost no one, will be lost. Do we think evangelism just doesn't matter, ultimately? Why do you think we consistently present evangelism as among the most important tasks of the Church but spent our time and energy on social engineering (see the rest of the ELCA's press releases over the past several years), ecumenical agreements that have little to do with a grace-given relationship with Jesus Christ, settled issues like homosexual conduct, and a headlong rush to be included in the ecumenical landscape among "Liberal Protestants"?