Why do the more liberal churches tend to attract older people?

[Somoslaluz]

I am looking for a more liberal church ie one that is pro LGBTQ+ for example
However near me these churches tend to be Anglo Catholic in style and mainly older populations. It seems odd to me when the evangelical churches are young congregations? I thought younger people would be more liberal ??

Is it that the churches have moved position, and the older people stayed? I'm youngish (30) and am put off CofE precisely because they are the current version of "liberal", or woke, or whatever. I'm pro gay marriage, and people can live as they please, but I don't like the "lgbtq+++" lobby, and I don't think it aligns well with the Bible. I'm considering going RC, but I don't believe in purgatory or following a pope, so I'm not sure I'd be any good going Catholic either!

Anyway, good luck with your church search, I'm sure you'll find the right one for your worship.

Possibly because the liturgy is more traditional. And they prefer that. My church (RC) has a really good mix of Ages.

I completely agree with the PP about being out put by the C of E fitting in with what ever is currently fashionable. The RC church may be wrong in many things. But at least they stick to their core teaching.

@SlagathaChristie join us. No one bothers about what you do and don't believe. I don't believe in purgatory and a few other things. But no one cares.

Thanks for your reply. I did previously go to a v conservative CofE church where they had same sex attraction support groups so v keen to avoid anything like that as I don't think it's in line in the Bible either.
I was actually raised RC and I do respect it but honestly I need a Church with decent kids work. I don't think our local church really has anything. At least the C of E has a toddler corner.

About the older people I think you are right actually

@Toddlerteaplease yes I think you are right its the liturgy. The oldies don't like the more modern songs ect

I hate the more modern songs! I was in Lourdes recently and most of the music was modern. No one sang it. Play some of the more traditional stuff and everyone sang.

@Toddlerteaplease
I actually like the modern ones and traditional but the 'low' churches who favour this music are affiliated with the evangelical alliance and that's no something I want to be a part of.

I'm guessing the "support group" was to try to un-gay people? Oof. Not good. Fair point about the kids' provision, and that is something I like about the CofE services I've been to lately.

@toddlerteaplease fair enough, I'll have to give it a go. Also, I'm in full agreement re the music. Can't stand the cheesy modern stuff, love a good hymn! The odd new song for the kiddies, I get, but I went to a service where we didn't have any proper hymns at all, just something about Jesus on a train.

@SlagathaChristie yes I believe it was to support each other through not engaging in same sex relationships. Not all evangelical churches are like this for the record I know some just stay away from the subject.
Yes c of e and large Pentecostals/Baptist churches v good for children. Love the messy church, there was nothing like that when I grew up

‘modernity’ of worship in CofE churches strongly correlates with very un-modern views around homosexuality and women in my experience. I attend an Anglo-catholic church where views are liberal and at least 25% of the congregation are gay. There is a wide range of ages so I’m lucky, but even if there wasn’t I would not be comfortable worshipping anywhere knowing that the vicar secretly thinks 10% of people are going to hell for loving people of same sex.

I attend a church with a young congregation, which has a traditional service and a modern service and is pretty liberal.
My previous church also had a young congregation and was very liberal, it was part of the evangelical alliance but was chucked out due to their stance on gay marriage. Where abouts do you live?

@TheProvincialLady yes I completely agree and in hindsight the theology is more important than the style of worship
I couldn't expose my children to homophobic theology.
@3WildOnes wow that's good to know. I'm close to North London , anywhere near you ?

Come join the Methodists - an offshoot of C of E but liberal, plenty of old and young, and we sing loads of the older hymns

Hymn singing is BIG in Methodism (because Wesley wrote some great ones)

And we're the largest mainstream church who agreed last year to marry same sex couples in our churches

(the URC did it first but they're much smaller than Methodist so it's a really big deal the Methodists have done it, means the C of E will hopefully follow soon as demographics similar)

I'm SW London but i will ask around about churches in North London.
Oasis, my former Church, is in Waterloo but might be too far.

I’m Anglo-Catholic and I’m not old!

I would contact the diocese and tell them what you’re looking for, that’s what I’ve done when I’ve gone on holiday to a different area.

@LaurieFairyCake thank you, there is a Methodist church at the top of our street. I will check it out ☺️

@3WildOnes just googled Oasis it looks amazing. Yes , probably a little too far for every week but I will check our their resources.
@PurBal thank you
Perhaps it's the area I live in, I just noted
the difference in ages and wondered why.

Agree that the Methodists could be exactly right for you.

The C of E is a broad church so you can have worship styles that look RC with vestments with lace, incense, prayers to Mary and maybe the Roman Missal rather than Common Worship. At the other end there might be communion once a month, forty minute sermons and ministers in suits. Strict baptists would feel at home. Other worship styles are the traditional four hymn sandwich with organ and choir found in many churches in the rural areas as well as urban and the newer charismatic renewal worship band led services that are usually in towns and cities.

That is worship style.

How theologically conservative or liberal a church is will be different but does sometimes map into worship style.

As a general rule Anglo Catholic Churches are liberal in theology although they may be conservative about women priests. Many of the priests in this style of church are LGBT.

As a general rule the more protestant end untouched by charismatic renewal is conservative about everything.

The charismatic renewal churches are often conservative in their approach to LGBT but affirming of women. If you find a church that advertises itself as open evangelical you might find a church with younger people but inclusive of LGBT. The worship style might be a organ or praise band or a mixture of both.

The civic churches and rural churches are often inclusive but may have older congregations. Cathedrals are usually inclusive and have lovely music and liturgy but no praise bands.

I'm not sure that helps but maybe open evangelical might help you find somewhere.

@PermanentTemporary thank you will check it out ☺️

@mostlydrinkstea
This is super helpful. I've tried and failed to understand the CofE. Never understood how a church like St Helens Bishopsgate was in the same 'low church' category as Holy trinity Brompton as these churches are so dissimilar imho. I'm guessing HTB fits into the charismatic renewal.

Honestly though the kindness I've experienced in the small Anglo Catholic parishes has been so touching and they seem to be so active in the community with food banks ect