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'''Mainline''' Protestant churches in America include the [[United Methodist Church]], the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], The [[Episcopal Church]], the [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]], the [[United Church of Christ]], the [[Disciples of Christ]], the [[American Baptist Churches USA|American Baptist Churches]], and some smaller churches.   

'''Mainline''' Protestant churches in America include the [[United Methodist Church]], the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], The [[Episcopal Church]], the [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]], the [[United Church of Christ]], the [[Disciples of Christ]], the [[American Baptist Churches USA|American Baptist Churches]], and some smaller churches.  Notably, the largest American Protestant denomination, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], is not counted within this group due to its conservative theology (though according to some sources such as the liberal Pew Research, two of its most recent splinter groups -- the openly-liberal [[Alliance of Baptists]] and the so-called "moderate" [[Cooperative Baptist Fellowship]] -- are counted as mainline; the SBC itself is considered [[Evangelical]]).

They grew rapidly during the [[Great Awakening]] from the 1740s to the 1940s.  

They grew rapidly during the [[Great Awakening]] from the 1740s to the 1940s.  

Down to the 1950s they dominated religion in America, but they have been shrinking in membership and are now down to about 26 million; They are now outnumbered by Catholics and [[Evangelical Christians]].

Down to the 1950s they dominated religion in America, but they have been shrinking in membership and are now down to about 26 million; They are now outnumbered by Catholics and [[Evangelical Christians]].

Theologically they were generally evangelical in the 19th century, liberal or modenist in the early 20th century, and now generally favor [[Neo-orthodoxy]]. Theology is not a central concern, and they rarely engage in heresy trials. However all have been deeply divided in recent years by such issues as homosexuality.

Theologically they were generally evangelical in the 19th century, liberal or modernist in the early 20th century, and now generally favor [[Neo-orthodoxy]]. Theology is not a central concern, and they rarely engage in heresy trials. However all have been deeply divided in recent years by such issues as homosexuality.

The Mainline churches founded many colleges, universities and divinity schools.  They were leaders in many reform movements, ranging from anti-slavery to temperance to the [[Social Gospel]] and [[Civil Rights Movement]].  They are organizers and dominate the [[National Council of Churches]].

The Mainline churches founded many colleges, universities and divinity schools.  They were leaders in many reform movements, ranging from anti-slavery to temperance to the [[Social Gospel]] and [[Civil Rights Movement]].  They are organizers and dominate the [[National Council of Churches]].