Since the denomination was formed in 1983, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has experienced a membership decline of nearly 62%, shrinking from 3,121,238 members in 1983 to 1,193,770 members in 2021.
The year over year decline from 2020 to 2021 resulted in the loss of 51,584 members, which equals an annual decline of 4.1%. Given recent losses this net loss is well within the range one would expect.
- 2021: -51,584 members
- 2020: -56,691 members
- 2019: -50,635 members
Older and Grayer
More than half of the members in Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations are 56 years of age or older (57.6% or 567,106 of the 984,437 for whom age data was provided). And, more than 3 in 10 members are 71 years of age or older (31.8% or 313,331 of 984,437).
In comparison to the American population, PC(USA) members are significantly older. Census data shows that only 16.5% of Americans are 65 years or older.
So What?
The big news with the annual statistical report on membership in the PC(USA) is simple: the latest statistical changes are consistent with losses in recent years. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, churches have faced new challenges that disrupted normal church operations, virtualized worship services, and impacted the way congregants view their connection to their respective faith communities. To experience net losses consistent with pre-pandemic years is encouraging (unless the timing of return to in person worship means some people waited to end their membership until after this reporting period, which would then result in a significant increase in net loss between 2021 and 2022).
For historical context on the ongoing decline in members in the PC(USA) check out these related posts:
- Presbyterian Decline: PCUSA -The First 35 Years (2020)
- PC(USA) Membership Declines by “Only 50K” (2020)
Note: I offer these candid reflections as an insider. I have spent more than half of my life involved in the PC(USA).