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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
July 2002 |
Just who are those people in the next pew?
By Tim Tanton
(UMNS) -- Nearly two-thirds of United Methodist worshipers -- 64 percent -- participate in their congregations' small-group activities, such as church school, social clubs and fellowships, and prayer or discussion groups, according to the U.S. Congregational Life Survey Project. In contrast, 46 percent of the respondents from all congregations surveyed participate in those types of activities.
"This is remarkable the United Methodists are doing this," said Craig This, director of research and planning for the denomination's General Council on Ministries in Dayton, Ohio. The prevailing notion had been that people were less involved in groups, he said.
The U.S. Congregational Life Survey Project is based on April 2001 data provided by more than 350,000 worshipers in over 2,000 churches, the largest such sampling ever taken. The survey, with a 3 percent margin of error, was conducted by the Research Services Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Respondents included 15,000 United Methodist worshipers in more than 150 congregations. The survey also canvassed worshipers from other Christian traditions as well as Judaism and Buddhism.
We knew this; we didn't know that!
Offering the most detailed look ever into the pews of the United Methodist Church, the U.S. Congregations study reaffirms points that were already known and "throws up some challenges," This said.
For him, the level of small-group participation was the most surprising finding in the survey.
Some of the numbers "are not great," he said, "but we are reaching out to people." Fifty-two percent of UM worshipers invited people to attend services in the preceding 12 months, compared with the 46 percent national average; and 19 percent regularly participate in evangelism activities in the wider community, compared with 13 percent for all congregations.
The Church's connectional character is evident in the fact that half of United Methodist worshipers are involved in community services, social justice or advocacy activities, compared with 37 percent for the national average of worshipers polled. They also are more likely to be involved in local church leadership, with 56 percent holding at least one key position in their congregation compared with the national average of 38 percent.
The down side
On the down side, the U.S. Congregations survey provides further evidence that all traditions, including United Methodism, are drawing only a small percentage of new members from people who are "unchurched." In the United Methodist Church and U.S. congregations in general, "first-timers" account for only 8 percent of the people who have attended a local place of worship for five years or less. That means that most congregational growth comes from people who are already churchgoers.
"All you're doing is recycling people," This said. Thirty-six percent of the people in UM pews are transfers from other United Methodist congregations, 29 percent are "switchers" from other denominations, and 27 percent are "returnees" who have been absent for an extended time.
What's all this show us?
The message in the numbers is that churches must encourage their members to be more inviting. "You have got to make the personal contact," This said.
The data also reinforce earlier research showing that the average United Methodist is female and graying. Of the worshipers surveyed, 63 percent were female, which is in line with the national average for all congregations. Seventy-two percent of the UM worshipers were 45 or older, and 39 percent were 65 or older.
While UM worshipers draw as much inspiration and "sense of fulfilling obligations" from their worship services as folks in other congregations, they also report feeling slightly less joy and a much lower sense of awe and mystery. Eighteen percent said they "always" or "usually" experience boredom during services, compared with 6 percent for all congregations.
Though membership has been declining, weekly attendance is growing, This noted. That raises the question: Is membership the best indicator of whether a church is making disciples of Christ?
About one-third of United Methodist worshipers have been attending their church for five years or less. Pastors must draw and keep those people in the church by staying current in focus and strategic planning, This said.
Last updated on 01/14/2004