Congregational Statistics: End of Year 1994

Peacemaking Efforts

Slightly more than half of congregations (55%) reported that they were engaged in peacemaking efforts during 1994, and 42% have adopted the "Commitment to Peacemaking" (either with the text suggested by the General Assembly or with revisions made by their sessions). Approximately 36% of congregations that were engaged in peacemaking efforts in 1994 reported that they had not adopted the "Commitment to Peacemaking." In addition, 60% of the congregations that reported they had adopted the "Commitment to Peacemaking" also reported (in a later question discussed below) that they had adopted the "Commitment to Evangelism."

The table below shows the trend over the last eight years in the percentage of congregations that indicated they had adopted the "Commitment to Peacemaking" and the percentage that reported being involved in peacemaking efforts. Both figures show a steady, but slow increase during that period, although the percentage that reported involvment in peacemaking efforts has dropped slightly in the last two years.

Congregations That Have Adopted the Commitment to Peacemaking and Have Been Involved in
Peacemaking Efforts:  1987 to 1994

             Percentage of Congregations
        Adopted Commitment      Engaged in
Year      to Peacemaking    Peacemaking Efforts

1994           42%                 55%
1993           41%                 55%
1992           40%                 57%
1991           36%                 57%
1990           34%                 56%
1989           32%                 52%
1988           30%                 48%
1987           28%                 47%

Relationship Between Adopting the Commitment to Peacemaking and
Involvement in Peacemaking Efforts:  1994

   Engaged in          Adopted Commitment to Peacemaking
Peacemaking Efforts      Yes         No          Total

     Yes                  84%        34%          55%
     No                   16%        66%          45%
     Total               100%       100%         100%

Note:  The total percentages here differ from those in the previous table because these figures include
only congregations for which responses were made to both peacemaking questions.