- China - 11,500 members?
- Malaysia - 9,476 members - 34 branches - 8 districts
- Liberia - 8,929 members - 24 branches - 3 districts
- Vanuatu - 6,693 members - 31 branches - 4 districts
- Guyana - 5,575 members - 13 branches - 1 district
- Belize - 4,807 members - 11 branches - 2 districts
- Pakistan - 3,900 members? - 13 branches? - 3 districts
- Romania - 2,993 members - 16 branches - 2 districts
- Czech Republic - 2,455 members - 13 branches - 2 districts
- Bulgaria - 2,392 members - 9 branches - 0 districts
- Malawi - 1,931 members - 8 branches - 1 district
- Benin - 1,898 members - 14 branches - 1 district
- Ethiopia - 1,854 members - 6 branches - 1 district
- Cook Islands - 1,844 members - 5 branches - 1 district
- Poland - 1,821 members - 14 branches - 3 districts
- Swaziland - 1,768 members - 4 branches - 1 district
- Angola - 1,684 members - 8 branches - 1 district
- Cameroon - 1,498 members - 7 branches - 1 district
Missionaries report that the original plan to organize the first stake in Vanuatu this month will be delayed due to the impact of Cyclone Pam on the island nation. However, the organization of the stake appears imminent once the nation recovers from the aftermath of this storm. Missionaries report that the first stake in the Czech Republic may be organized in June whereas the first stake in Benin may be organized in October.
5 comments:
China: there are foreign passport holding members, numbering probably about 1,000-1,500 spread all across the country, but centered in Shanghai and Beijing; and there are local Saints. 10,000 may be a bit high for the local saints. Forming a Stake in China will be problematic as long as the political situation remains the same.
Malaysia is two separate landmasses: the Western portion has slightly slower growth but a denser population, the best chance is a large (area wise) Stake in Kuala Lumpur. In the Eastern part of the country, there are few large cities and the membership is spread out, and it is still young. Kuching is the likeliest city to get a Stake, they have about 4-5 branches, but endemic activity issues slow them down.
Ethiopia: I paraphrase from a recently returned missionary (South African) who spent the last 7 months of his mission in Addis Ababa: "We were baptizing at the same rate as the new converts were going inactive." (ouch! Not a good sign). With 4 small branches in Addis Ababa, the church is so young there, a Stake will require some innovation and modern miracles over the next 10 years.
Many places have baptized and retained like Ethiopia; growth does occur but as effective as possible.
Not as effective, I meant to say, but that is the story of our church and most causes that are driven by sacrifice more than profit.
We need to remember that a new convert going inactive is not the end of the story. This is why you need dedicated ward mission leadership that can focus on the long term. That is often what you need to get people in the Church. Due to the massive existence of addictive behaviors in our society, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, and viewing pronography, that are against the teachings of the Church, it is highly likely that new converts will revert to such behaviors and feel ashamed and stop coming. That is why they need close networking and people to reach out to them.
Good points. Many things cause less activity, like negative peer pressure, Sunday rigor apathy, sexual temptations of all sorts. There are many different reasons to stop attending.
Like many routines, it can come suddenly and end gradually, or even faster. Like a whirl-wind romance, at times. Especially in my experience in Chile.
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