Helping the church make fact-based decisions

Research Services helps congregations, presbyteries, synods, seminaries and other entities of the denomination learn more about themselves and their constituencies. [Read more.]

2008 Survey of Pastors available

The 2008 Survey of Presbyterian Pastors reveals that most pastors consider their present compensation package to be fair and reasonable given the circumstances of the congregation.  One in six live in a manse.  Two in three report making changes to improve their health in the previous year. Learn more about Presbyterian pastors from this new survey.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at 25: A Statistical Look at Denominational Change

Comparative Statistics 2008 now available

Comparative Statistics, published annually by the office of Research Services, provides an annual well-church assessment for our denomination. Measures of membership, ministers, congregations and finances give us a snapshot of some dimensions of our institutional health. Like most annual physicals, Comparative Statistics 2008, surfaces good news, issues of concern and data that may be just plain interesting to ponder. What's your take on the state of the denomination?

Women in the Church
Presbyterian Panel report released

• Three-quarters of members have been part of a congregations where a woman served as pastor.
• When referring to the people of God during worship, eight in ten pastors say their congregations use gender-inclusive language always or most of the time.
• Two-thirds of pastors report at least one Presbyterian Women group or circle in their congregations.

Learn more about Women in the Church in this new Presbyterian Panel report.

Lilly awards $1.4 million to PC(USA) Research Services
Grant will fund second phase of US Congregational Life
Survey

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — The Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis has awarded $1,470,555 to the Research Services office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Council (GAC) to expand the U.S. Congregational Life Survey.  [Read more.]

What do Presbyterians really believe?
2005 Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians full report released

We can find out what individual Presbyterians are supposed to believe by reading the confessions, but how do we learn what they actually believe? Responses to Presbyterian Panel surveys give us details on personal beliefs as well information on religious backgrounds, church participation and demographic characteristics from a recent national survey of members, elders and ministers. Download the full report.

We offer:

• “Do-it-yourself” research strategies for congregations conducting mission studies or self-studies or seeking to discern their future, including free ten-year trends and demographics. [Read more.]
• The Presbyterian Panel—the PC(USA)’s ongoing means of learning who Presbyterians are, how they are involved in their congregations, what they believe, and where they think the denomination should be going. [Read more.]
• Help with congregational surveys. Discover your congregation’s strengths! [Read more]
• Statistics and information about the denomination, its congregations, ministers, and finances. [Read more.]
• Research results on a wide variety of topics. [Read more.]
• Help for presbyteries, synods, and other entities that want to better understand their congregations and constituents. [Read more.]

From Presbyterians Today

Fewer members, more small churches

By Jack Marcum

Download this Go Figure article.

Read past Go Figure articles.