Helping the church make fact-based decisions
Research Services helps congregations, presbyteries, synods, seminaries and other entities of the denomination learn more about themselves and their constituencies.
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What's new in Research Services?
The following resources are now available from Research Services. These resources include the most recent data, which is from the end of year 2010.
Comparative Statistics 2010 available
Comparative Statistics 2010 is now available! This resource shows trends in membership, finances, and ministers. The introductory article, Mapping the PC(USA), includes maps showing newly chartered churches, churches without installed pastors, and more. Learn more
Presbytery Ten-Year Trends – This report compiles data from the Session Annual Statistical Report for each congregation in the presbytery over the past ten years. This year’s report covers the years 2000 to 2010.
Clerk’s Annual Questionnaire 2010 – The Clerk's Annual Questionnaire is distributed to all congregations. The report for 2010 describes congregations’ environmental ministries, mission activities, music ministries, bequests, loans, congregational history committees, and guest preachers.
The Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions about the PC(USA) – We are asked many questions about the denomination. Brief answers to some of the more frequent questions are provided.
For questions, please email Ida Smith-Williams or call (800)728-7228, x5159
Profile of PC(USA) congregations in 2010
This snapshot provides an up-to-date view of the programs, finances, leaders and participants in PC(USA) congregations based on a survey of a random sample of PC(USA) congregations. The survey was part of the larger Faith Communities Today (FACT) 2010 study of 10,000 congregations from 100 Christian denominations and other faith groups in the United States.
Who are we Presbyterians?
The Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians 2008 tries to answer this question. The profile reveals results of a survey of 3,500 participants in the 2009-2011 Presbyterian Panel.
Every three years the PC(USA) Research Services staff assembles as a new Panel representative samples of members, elders and ministers. Research Services starts out by asking these Presbyterians broad questions about their beliefs, characteristics and practices.
Interesting results from the fall 2008 survey include:
- The median age of members and elders climbed from 58 in 2005 to 60.
- For the first time, more than a quarter of pastors (27 percent) are women.
- Presbyterians remain predominantly white and college-educated.
Update what you know about Presbyterians
A Field Guide to Presbyterian Congregations: Who’s Going Where and Why
Conducted by the PC(USA) Research Services office, the U.S. Congregational Life Survey tallied responses from 40,000 worshipers in a national study of Presbyterian congregations. In the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009 a random sample of 521 PC(USA) congregations participated in the U.S. Congregational Life Survey. The survey was given in worship and included the responses of all worshipers age 15 and older. In 2001, a random sample of 523 PC(USA) congregations participated.
A Field Guide to Presbyterian Congregations: Who’s Going Where and Why (available through Presbyterian Distribution Services, order item 02056-10100) presents findings from the survey. The resource is a companion piece to A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations, previously released by Presbyterian Publishing Corporation).
The Top 10 most frequently asked questions about the PC(USA)
We are asked many questions about the denomination. Here are brief answers to some of the more frequent questions.
From Presbyterians Today
Looking ahead
By Jack Marcum
Facts and statistics regarding trends on the future of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).