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United Methodist Research
Net-Work:
Empowering the Connection for Ministry
"Conference Data Comparisons" in
Background Data for Mission
Summary
The United Methodist Church has lost members every
year since the merger of 1968. The most recent
year is no exception, though the magnitude of
the loss was on of th elowest at nearly 37,000
members. (Last year's 34,000 was the smallest
decline.) Church School membership reduced in
like volumes by 35,000+. The number of churches
reduced by 138 (86 last year), despite splendid
efforts by many Annual Conferences at starting
new churches. Attendance showed the least percentage
decline of the three major categories with a loss
of 2,364 about half of last year's decline.
Go to the General Board of Global
Ministries Office of Research, click on Background
Data for Mission.
Models or Types of Congregations by Paul Light
Summary
This
outline of congregational types or models was
begun for the use of researchers planning the
Cooperative Congregational Study Project (CCSP),
which started in 1995. It was intended to be suggestive
for the questionnaire design. Now, with the release
of data under the name of Faith Communities Today
(FACT), the question emerges again "Do models
of congregations help us put into perspective
information about congregations?" Another
important question for congregational leaders
who are inviting persons to join their congregation
is, "What kind of a congregation are we,
and are we adequately representing our church
as we issue the invitation?"
(Download pdf here.)
Local Churches
Town and Country Churches: A Comparison of United
Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
and Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations (Posted
July 2, 2001). This document provides basic comparisons
of town and country churches for these three denominations
based on findings from the Faith Communities Today
Study.
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