NEW YORK CITY, NY (FR) – The National Council of Churches (NCC), known by many as the most liberal religious organization in the U.S., is reported to be in serious financial straits because of declining membership in the mainline churches which support its work.

“Much of their income is based on the membership of the churches they represent,” said Dr. Tim LaHaye of the American Coalition for Traditional Values. “These liberal, main-line churches have been losing members during the past few years, due to the extreme liberalism expressed from their pulpits.”

The NCC typically condones abortion, feminism, massive government regulation, and homosexuality. “It is no accident,” continued Dr. LaHaye, “that at a time when conservative churches are bulging at their seams, liberal churches are dying.”

The National and International Religion Report (Nov. 20, 1988) released statistics to show that the NCC has been consistently cutting its staff during recent years. In 1968, 187 people were employed in its New York office. In 1988, that figure had dropped to 83; at a recent board meeting, an announcement was made that the staff would be cut again to 61 in 1989.

LaHaye believes that one of the main reasons for the NCC’s problems has been its support for radical causes – including many communist regimes throughout the world. “This has disillusioned many of the laity who have taken steps to withhold funds from the NCC,” he added.

NCC Treasurer Joyce Sohl, of the United Methodist Church, acknowledged the Council’s financial difficulties, emphasizing that “the crisis did not just start in 1988. It started several years ago. It has affected various parts of the Council at different times.”