Experts project an estimated 100,000 churches in the US will close or be repurposed over the next decade.

Many churches will be unable to escape this “tsunami” of closings — a grim trajectory one pastor described as, “Every year the pews are getting emptier and the collection plates getting lighter.”

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[–] 20 points 4 days ago (3 children)

I wish there were something like community centers to replace the void they'll leave behind. As a kid we had rec centers with game rooms and courts and stuff. I remember getting a computer lab and thinking it was the coolest thing.

Obviously not the exact same anymore but something similar. I do believe people are becoming lonelier and isolated because of the pandemic and the rise of social media.

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  • [–] 6 points 4 days ago* (2 children)

    Yeah, it'd be awesome if these could be community centers. Local worshipers could still even request the space on occasion!

    Replacing them with smoke shops and carwashes and cash advances or a Subway isn't the net positive we'd hope for. =\

    I've heard this referred to as a "third space", a place not home nor work where people can hang out and not be hassled for not buying anything. Like parks and libraries.

    They're quickly disappearing. :(

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