Fast Facts archive

Research Services shares an interesting fact about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) each week. Did you miss a week? Check here for recent Fast Facts.

• Prior to ordination, four in 10 ministers had a long-term secular job or career.
• In three-quarters of PC(USA) congregations, Lord’s Supper elements are distributed to worshipers where they are seated.
• The median age is 58 years for members and elders and 52 for pastors.
• Almost half of members (46%) live in rural areas, small towns, or cities with populations of less than 50,000
• Median family income is $73,200 for members, $72,100 for elders, and $72,900 for pastors.
• One-half of pastors report at least one sermon on health-related topics in the prior year.
• One in six congregations use social responsibility criteria in their investments.
• A majority of PC(USA) members (63 percent) have graduated from college, including 27 percent with graduate degrees.
• One-half of PC(USA) members are employed. Four in ten are retired, and another 11 percent are full-time homemakers.
• More than half of pastors (54%), 43% of members and 49% of elders read the Bible privately at least weekly
• Seven in 10 ministers received their M.Div. or B.D. degree from a PC(USA)-affiliated theological school.
• Two-thirds of members and elders more than 80% of ministers pray privately either daily or almost daily.
• Most members (61%) and elders (77%) report inviting someone to their congregation in the prior year.
• Eight in 10 members and elders made a financial pledge to their congregation for 2005.
• Half of members have previously been ordained as elders, deacons or both.
• The most common reason given for coming to a new congregation for the first time is a personal invitation.
• A small majority of members (55%) and most elders (80%) take part three or more hours per month in programs and services of their congregation other than worship.
• Six in ten member and elders live within four miles of their congregation.
• Members have belonged to their current congregation for an average (median) of 16 years.
• Most pastors (61%) but only 44% of members and 46% of elders were raised in a Presbyterian congregation.
• On average, worship attendance is about half of a congregation’s membership.  It is relatively higher in smaller congregations and lower in larger congregations.
• Sessions are larger in larger congregations.
• Two-thirds of PC(USA) congregational expenditures go to local program and local mission.
• Two-thirds of PC(USA) congregational receipts are received through contributions from individuals. Other receipts include capital and building funds, investment income, and bequests.
• Overall, 22% of PC(USA) ministers are women; among active ministers, 30% are women.
• In 2006, 375 candidates were ordained as Ministers of Word and Sacrament.
• Of 21,360 ministers in the PC(USA), 7,667 are retired and 13,693 are active.
• On average, the largest PC(USA) congregations are in the Synod of Southern California & Hawaii and the smallest are in the Synod of Living Waters.
• Twelve presbyteries reported overall membership gains between 2005 and 2006.
• On average, PC(USA) congregations have 105 members.
• As a percent of state population, the most Presbyterians can be found in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
• The largest numbers of Presbyterians live in Pennsylvania, California, and North Carolina.
• Almost 1,000 PC(USA) congregations have more than 500 members.
• Almost half of PC(USA) congregations have 100 or fewer members.