| by
John R. (Pete) Hendrick
Professor Emeritus of Evangelism and Missions, Austin Presbyterian
Theological Seminary
Comparative Statistics presents a wealth of information
about out denomination, our congregations, our ministers, and
our finances. As you look through these pages, I encourage you
to keep an eye open to the ways this information can be used
by people throughout the denomination--in the national offices
in Louisville, in synod and presbytery offices across the country,
and in our churches.
At the denominational level, for example, we find that the
11,399 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations reported a
total of 2,698,262 members in 1994, down from 11,416 congregations
and 2,742,192 members in 1993. At the synod level, we find that
over a third of PCUSA congregations are located in just three
synods, all in the eastern half of the country: Mid-Atlantic,
Trinity, and Northeast. At the presbytery level, we find that
the level of per member contributions was highest in the Hanmi
Presbytery ($1,217).
These are just a few examples of the kinds of information
available in this booklet. What I'd like to focus on is the
ways these statistics can be used in congregations. How can
this information be of benefit to the local congregation, its
pastor(s), its session, and its members?
The Congregation To Which I Belong
Statistics, like the numerical reading on a fever thermometer,
do not tell us all we need to know about the body being studied.
Just as no one was ever cured by a thermometer, so no congregations
can be renewed with statistics. However, without such data no
accurate assessment or diagnosis is likely to be made.
To help us understand some of the ways in which statistics
can increase our understanding of the congregations to which
we belong, I will use the congregation where I am a member as
an example. I will conclude with suggestions on how congregations
might use this information.
The first things needed are the session's annual statistical
reports for 1993 and 1994. Our new pastor found the 1994 report
in the church office, but I had to go to the Minutes of the
General Assembly, Part II: Statistics to get information
for 1993.
Faith Presbyterian Church, founded in 1957, is one gas station
west of Interstate 35 and two miles south of downtown Austin,
Texas. It has adequate parking and facilities. Immediately to
the east is a mix of older apartments and newer condos. To the
west are 60 year old modest single family homes--some are occupied
by upwardly mobile Hispanic families, and a small proportion
are experiencing Anglo gentrification. Rapid suburban growth
is taking place 10 miles from Faith Church to the north, northwest,
and southwest. Like every Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation,
Faith church has its own unique characteristics. Statistics
give a broad stroke outline of what a congregation is like and
provide a basis for comparing it with others.
Membership
At the end of 1994, Faith Church reported that it had 229
active members. Nevertheless, about 70 percent of congregations in
the Synod of the Sun (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas)
are smaller than Faith! The median size of congregations in
the Synod of the Sun is 109 members. While Faith views itself
as small, it is at least twice as large as most congregations
in its region.
Growth and Decline
The 1993 General Assembly statistical report indicated that
Faith Church had 298 members. At the end of 1994, it had 229
members for a loss of 69 persons, a 23 percent decline! Between 1993
and 1994, the denomination had a loss of 1.6 percent, and the 975 congregations
in the Synod of the Sun reported a loss of 1.3 percent. In 1994 the
158 congregations in the Presbytery of Mission reported a net
loss of 288 members overall, or a loss of 0.9 percent. Faith's 1994
annual report indicated that its losses were due to 9 persons
being transferred to other churches, 3 who died and 52 persons
dropped for unspecified reasons. Five persons were added to
the roll. The previous year, Faith had 34 additions and 26 losses.
In 1993, there were 3 adult baptisms at Faith Presbyterian Church.
In 1994, there was 1.
Worship Attendance
Faith's 1994 report indicates that average attendance at Sunday
worship was 114 persons. The 1993 report indicates that average
attendance was 145 persons. Relative to membership size, average
attendance was just under 50 percent of membership in 1994. In the
PC(USA) overall, 40 percent of congregations in the 101 to 250 membership
range average less than 50 percent of membership in Sunday worship.
Gender Composition
Of Faith's 229 members, 102 (45 percent) are male and 127 (55 percent) are
female. Throughout the denomination 59 percent of members are female
and 41 percent are male. In 1994, 10 of 18 members (56 percent) on Faith Church's
session were women, above the denominational average of 46 percent.
Racial Ethnic Composition
Faith reported 8 Hispanic members, 3 Asian members, and 1
Black member, for a total of 5 percent racial ethnic members. This
is approximately the same racial ethnic composition as is found
in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) overall. One Hispanic member
of Faith Church serves on the session.
Contributions
In 1993, member contributions totaled $161,434, for an average
of $542 per member. That average is slightly above the denominational
average of $529 in 1993. In 1994, contributions declined to
$116,160, but since membership size also declined, the per-member
average dropped only marginally, to $507. In both years, Faith
also received sizeable contributions for capital and building
funds: $55,413 in 1993, and $41,475 in 1994.
For 1994, then, Faith had contributions that were about 8 percent
below the churchwide average ($553), 12 percent below the synod average
(per member giving in the Synod of the Sun in 1994 was $576),
and 14 percent below the presbytery average (per member giving in Mission
Presbytery in 1994 was $587).
Mission Giving
In 1993, Faith Church gave $18,883 to local and validated
mission. In 1994, it gave $15,970 to these two causes. National
figures, of course, dwarf those of a single, medium-sized congregation:
in 1994, combined local and validated mission expenditures exceeded
$233 million. Comparable figures for the Synod of the Sun and
Mission Presbytery were $21.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
Lessons for Congregations
Here are some ways I think statistics like those above might
be useful to the session and members of Faith Presbyterian Church.
I hope to give this material to an adult class, along with a
copy of Comparative Statistics 1994 and the congregation's
Session Annual Statistical Report.
First, I would invite them to use the data they have to compare
the congregation with other Presbyterian congregations (end
note 1) in the nation, their synod, and their presbytery. In
the process, their uniqueness as a congregation would begin
to emerge as well as a sense of how they match up with others
who call themselves Presbyterians. At this point, they might
want to gather more data. For example, the Session Annual Statistical
Report, which the congregation fills out, gives the age distribution
of congregational members. They might also gather other relevant
data, for example, an estimate of average family income that
can be used to estimate the percentage of income given to the
church.
Second, I would ask them to use the data they have collected
to estimate the strength and vitality of the congregation. Indicators
of this are: average attendance at worship, per member contributions,
membership growth, and, in particular, adult baptisms. Other
data could also be sought, such as the average church school
attendance. Data from several years would enable the group to
see trends. Caution is required, however. A high or low numerical
reading on a fever thermometer does not tell us anything about
the underlying cause of that reading. Nor do church statistics
in and of themselves, tell us what is really going on, although
they often lead us to questions that, when answered, can help
us to a diagnosis. Faith Church had a dramatic loss in membership
between 1993 and 1994, but this must be interpreted in light
of other knowledge of the church. Was there a fight among factions
within the church? Did a nearby plant or factory close? During
the same period, contributions per member dropped only marginally.
Is that because the congregation's remaining members are relatively
affluent? Because they have been challenged to tithe? Or is
some other factor involved? Thoughtful reflection by members
can produce significant insight into the present situation of
the church.
Finally, I would suggest any group studying these statistics
that they be viewed as a kind of baseline from which projections
for the future can be made. In terms of membership, worship
attendance, church school enrollment, and mission-giving, where
do they want to be three years from now or five years from now?
Having determined that, how would the group propose moving the
congregation in that direction?
To understand congregations in general and our own congregation
in particular is a complex, but important, undertaking. The
use of the statistical data available to congregations is one
way we can help our congregations to begin the process of seeking
to be more faithful and effective.
Endnotes.
1. Data from the Session Annual Statistical Report for other
individual congregations may be found in the General Assembly
Minutes, Part II: Statistics, published annually by the
Office of the General Assembly.
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