I refer to “the old guard” dying off in the next 10/15 years.
I, along with everyone else, can only report what we see first hand. And in my circuit(s) where I live, at least 70-75% are over 65.
The mass die off coupled with the fact that members are not being recruited from the “field” like they used to is a sure sign it will be in decline.
In 1986 the 5 year attrition rate was 0.19
In 2022 the 5 year attrition rate is 0.86
This is evidence that they are not recruiting like they used to, and those “old guard” who were around in 1981 are hitting their 70s now.
So I’m sticking with my 10/15 year prediction. Earliest I would say is start of the 2030s.
Evidence shows that many left after 1975, but they recovered in the 80s and 90s with strong baptism numbers. Early figures show they are loosing the same amount, but are not being replaced with new baptisms.