| A Field Guide to
Presbyterian Congregations:
Building Inside Connections
Worshipers connect with others in the congregation through group activities
(such as church school, prayer and study groups, and fellowships or clubs),
serving in leadership roles, and financial support. How do PC(USA)
congregations nurture these activities?
- Involving Worshipers
In what other ways are worshipers involved in PC(USA) congregations? Overall,
64% of worshipers in PC(USA) congregations participate in small group
activities substantially more than is typical across all faith groups
(nationally only 44% are engaged in small group activities). Compared to the
national averages, worshipers in PC(USA) congregations are more likely to take
part in educational activities like Sunday school, church school, or Sabbath
school (32% in PC(USA) congregations do); prayer, discussion, or Bible study
groups (27%); and fellowships, clubs, or other social groups (41%). Among
Presbyterian worshipers, as well as among all worshipers, the highest rates of
involvement are for social activities.
Q: Are you involved in any group activities here?
- Involvement as Leaders
How many worshipers serve in leadership roles in PC(USA) congregations?
Presbyterians excel in this area, as well: 57% hold at least one leadership
position in their congregation (such as governing board, committee, choir or
usher, church school teacher, small group leader, etc.). Only 38% of
worshipers across the U.S. serve as leaders in their congregations.
- Involvement in Decision Making
Do worshipers feel they are actively involved in making important decisions in
their congregation? 68% of worshipers overall, and 82% in Presbyterian
congregations, say they've been given the opportunity to be involved in
congregational decision making. However, only a third of U.S. worshipers
overall (38%) say they do so even occasionally. In Presbyterian
congregations, in contrast, more than half (55%) take part in making important
decisions -- either often or occasionally.
Q: Which best describes your involvement in the making of
important decision in this congregation?
- Belonging Here
Do worshipers in PC(USA) congregations feel like they belong? 86% report a
strong sense of belonging to their congregation, which is somewhat greater
than in the typical U.S. congregation. Overall, 49% in PC(USA) congregations
say they have a strong sense of belonging that has been growing, and 37% say
it is steady (28%) or declining (9%).
Q: Do you have a strong sense of belonging to this
congregation?
- Making Friends
Are worshipers developing friendships with others in PC(USA) congregations?
About 75% of worshipers in PC(USA) congregations say some or all of their
close friends attend the same congregation. This is somewhat higher than in
the national picture where 67% of worshipers say they have some close friends
in their congregation.
- Giving
Financial support connects people to the congregation and its mission. In
PC(USA) congregations, 95% of worshipers make financial contributions to the
congregation, including 16% who regularly give 10% or more of their net income
to their congregation, and 38% who regularly give 5% to 9%. Nationally, 93%
of worshipers make financial contributions, and 19% give 10% or more of their
net income.
Q: About how much do you give financially to this
congregation?
- Being a Team
Do worshipers feel there is a connection between their pastor and worshipers
in their congregation? Nearly all worshipers in PC(USA) congregations (85%)
agree with the statement, "In general, there is a good match between our
congregation and our minister, pastor, or priest." Across all worshipers in
the U.S., a similar percentage agree with this statement.
- Becoming a Member
Overall, eight in ten worshipers in Presbyterian pews are members of their
congregations. Another 2% are in the process of becoming members. That
leaves 12% who regularly participate, but are not members. These results are
similar to those for worshipers from all faith groups. The remaining
worshipers are visitors (2%) or people who are not members and attend only
occasionally (4%).
- Experiencing Conflict
How common is conflict in worshiping communities? Three-quarters of
worshipers in PC(USA) churches report no conflict (43%) or minor conflict
(32%) in the previous two years. Yet, 12% say their church experienced major
conflict in that period. (The remaining 13% said they didn't know.) These
results are about the same as in the typical congregation (55% report no
conflict and 22% report minor conflict).
|
