| A Field Guide to
Presbyterian Congregations:
Building Spiritual Connections
Spiritual connections are made through worshipers' private devotional activities and their participation in
congregational activities such as worship. How are Presbyterian congregations cultivating faith and responding to
the spiritual needs of their worshipers?
- Private Devotions
About half of the people in PC(USA) congregations spend time every day in private devotional activities
(such as prayer, meditation, or reading the Bible alone), and 21% do so a few times a week. PC(USA) worshipers
are about as likely as other worshipers to spend time in these activities when compared to all worshipers across the
country (the national average is 45% who spend time every day in private devotional activities).
- Growing in Faith
About half of the people in U.S. congregations (54%) and in PC(USA) congregations (50%) report they have
experienced much growth in their faith over the last year -- growth that occurred through their congregations,
other organizations, or their own activities. Another 43% report some spiritual growth in the previous year.
One-third of worshipers in PC(USA) congregations say their spiritual growth comes from involvement in their own
congregations. Few PC(USA) worshipers report growing in their faith through other groups (7%) or through their
own private activities (11%). Among all worshipers, 7% have grown in their faith through other groups and 15%
through private activities.
Q: Over the last year, how much have you grown in your
faith?
- Worship Experiences
How is worship experienced by the average person in the pew? Worshipers were
asked how often they have eight experiences during worship in their
congregation. In PC(USA) congregations, the largest number of worshipers
regularly experience God's presence during worship. Many also experience
inspiration and joy. Yet, spontaneity is a relatively uncommon experience in
Presbyterian worship. "Decently and in order" seems to apply to our worship
as well as our polity.
Fortunately, only a small percentage of worshipers "usually" or "always"
experience boredom. These results are close to the national averages.
Q: How often do you experience the following during worship
services at this congregation?
- Help with Everyday Living
To what extent do the worship services or activities in congregations help
worshipers with everyday living? 43% of worshipers in PC(USA) congregations
report that they are helped to a great extent by worship or
congregational activities, and 46% are helped to some extent. This is
comparable to the national average of 45% who report finding worship services
or activities helpful to a great extent with everyday living, and 41%
who say to some extent.
- Meeting Spiritual Needs
Does the typical congregation meet the spiritual needs of worshipers? Like
the majority of worshipers in the U.S., 83% of worshipers in PC(USA)
congregations feel that their congregation successfully meets their spiritual
needs.
- Making Music
What types of music do worshipers prefer? Three-quarters of worshipers in
PC(USA) congregations (77%) prefer traditional hymns during worship. From a
list of 10 possibilities, no other musical style was chosen by more than half
of those who sit in Presbyterian pews. Other preferences include praise music
or choruses (34%) and contemporary hymns (22%). (Note that worshipers were
asked to mark two preferences from the list.) These preferences are typical
of worshipers across the country.
|
All
Worshipers |
PC(USA)
Worshipers |
| Traditional hymns |
61% |
77% |
| Praise music or choruses |
33% |
34% |
| Contemporary hymns |
25% |
22% |
| Contemporary music other than hymns |
13% |
11% |
| Sung responsorial psalms |
10% |
2% |
| Classical music |
9% |
16% |
| Music or songs from a variety of cultures |
9% |
8% |
| African American gospel |
5% |
4% |
| Contemplative chants |
2% |
1% |
Q: While you may value many different styles of music, which of the following
do you prefer in congregational worship? (Mark up to two options.)
- Coming to the Faith
Most worshipers in Presbyterian pews have not experienced a particular moment
of decisive faith commitment or conversion. Rather, they say they've always
had faith (42%) or they came to faith through a gradual process (30%). One-
quarter have experienced a specific moment of commitment. This is similar to
the overall U.S. picture, where 47% have always had faith; 21% came to faith
through a gradual process; and 28% had a conversion or commitment experience.
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