Dan Gilgoff holds that “churches most open to homosexuality are shrinking fastest.” Pastordan counters with his UCC, than which no mainline denomination is more gay friendly and whose numbers are (by some measure) up. Partnered gay Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire Gene Robinson says his own diocesan head count has risen by three percent. My hypothesis is that what drives numbers down is fighting interminably over gay and lesbian inclusion. Better to make your decision, and then focus on getting people who are OK with it in the door.

Update: Over at GetReligion, Mattingly questions Bishop Robinson’s figures–based on the most recent Episcopal Church numbers. He’s right: If the New Hampshire diocese has really turned around its demographics, it would be (pretty) big news.