What happened to the church of old is that lots of players on Dwilight decided it was more fun to tear things down than build them up.
SA became powerful because lots of players decided to play characters who were devoted to the church or at least cared about it and respected its spiritual authority; i.e. somewhat more typically medieval-ish characters. SA is weaker now because more players are choosing to behave like a less common kind of medieval noble (not non-existent, mind you: just less typical).
This, in spades.
SA was always strong because the players that were part of it wanted it to be strong. They were willing to play nobles dedicated to their church, and willing to do their duties to the church. This is the key to a successful organization in Battlemaster, whether that organization is a religion, a guild, a secret society, or an entire realm. No organization can run without a group of people willing to make it work.
A growing number of nobles, and especially some of the more vocal ones, have decided that they do not want their characters to participate in the church, and would rather see it destroyed. Some of them because the church will not give them the power and leadership they seek, and some of them because the church will not follow their agenda.
Many (most?) people not in the church, and even quite a few in the church, simply don't understand how SA works, and what made it such a successful and influential institution. It's a bit sad. But it was a hell of a lot of fun building it into the biggest and best religion that Battlemaster has ever seen. I am quite confident that it's like will never be seen again.
