The Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) recently published denominational statistics for 2019. I first learned of this new data by reading an article titled “PC(USA) Statistics Show a Leveling Off in Membership Decline.”
Recent Decline
While the denomination has been in decline since its formation, this article seeks to tell the more positive micro story within that ongoing macro story. It seeks to achieve this by focusing on recent positive trends, such as a drop in the rate of decline. And, it features the full text of a statement by The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II – Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) that begins:
For the first time in more than thirty years, the PC(USA) is not reporting membership losses. Our membership remains at 1.3 million. This is good news!
Nelson correctly stated that the denomination had 1.3 million members in 2018 and 1.3 million members in 2019. When comparing the detailed data, the actual decline in membership over the last year was 50,635. To more fully illustrate the recent declines in number of churches and in membership, I have done the math.
Overall Decline
A few months ago, I detailed the membership decline from the denomination’s formation through 2018. I’ve updated the overall decline to include 2019.
In short, membership has declined by 58% during the denomination’s first 36 years. In comparison, the American population increased by 40% from 233.8 million to 328.2.
So What?
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) has fared a little better the last few years than it did the previous few. It is important to note, however, that the rate of decline has accelerated each decade since the denomination’s formation.
To contextualize the overall decline in light of population growth in America:
- 1983: 1 out of 75 people was a member of the PC(USA)
- 2019: 1 out of 252 people is a member of the PC(USA)
Finally, I’m encouraged that the number of new worshiping communities within the PC(USA) has been increasing in recent years. Innovation is essential. And, in light of COVID-19, innovation will be more important than ever to numeric trends in the PC(USA) and in all denominations in the near term future.