We recently compiled results from the Supplement to the Session Annual Statistical Report completed by 92% of PCUSA congregations at the end of 1997. The results provide an inside look at various aspects of worship across the denomination.
Presbyterian congregations use a variety of hymnals in worship services. The Presbyterian Hymnal (1990) is used by the largest percentage of congregations (38 percent). Many others (26 percent) use The Hymnbook (1955). Few congregations use as their primary hymnal either The Worshipbook with hymns (1970; 2 percent do so) or The Hymnal (1933; 2 percent). Almost one-third (31 percent) listed some other book as their principal hymnal, including The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration, Hymns for the Family of God, Praise Songs, The Worshipping Church, The New Church Hymnal, Hymns for the Living Church, The Singing Church, and a variety of foreign language hymnals. Less than 1 percent of congregations report that they do not use a hymnal in worship.
Another question asked about the frequency with which congregations celebrate the Lord's Supper. A slight majority of congregations (53 percent) report celebrating the Lord's Supper monthly. One in four do so quarterly; 16 percent, every six weeks; 2 percent, weekly; and 1 percent, less than quarterly. While the majority of large congregations (with over 600 members) and medium-size congregations (with 250-600 members) celebrate the Lord's Supper monthly (about 60 percent of each do so), small congregations (up to 250 members) typically celebrate it either monthly (47 percent) or quarterly (30 percent). Overall, one-third of congregations (34 percent) celebrate the Lord's Supper on Feast Days. (Note that percentages add to more than 100 because congregations could mark more than one response (e.g., monthly and on Feast Days.)
When the frequency of celebrating the Lord's Supper was compared across church size and region, an interesting difference was found for congregations in the West. As can be seen in the figure, compared to congregations in other regions, larger percentages of those in the West -- regardless of size -- report monthly communion (over 70 percent celebrate the Lord's Supper monthly). Within each of the other regions, large congregations were more likely than small congregations to report monthly communion. Less than half of small membership congregations in the Northeast, Midwest, and South report monthly communion.
How do congregations address the needs of members who can't make it to Sunday worship? One way is by taping the service: One-half of congregations audiotape their worship services for distribution to shut-ins and other interested listeners, and 9 percent videotape their worship services for similar distribution. Compared to smaller congregations, larger ones are more likely to tape their services -- 92 percent of those with more than 600 members, 78 percent of those with 251-600 members, and 38 percent of those with up to 250 members use audiotape. Videotaping occurs in 6 percent of small congregations, 14 percent of medium-size congregations, and 23 percent of large congregations.
A small number of congregations make their services available more widely --2% have their worship services shown on television and 4% broadcast on radio. So, your chances of catching a Presbyterian worship service on television or radio when you're snowbound in a strange city are pretty slim -- you'll have more success requesting an audiotape from your own church when you get home.
Email the author: Deborah A. Bruce
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