By Deborah Bruce
The U.S. Congregational Life Survey provides an accurate picture of worshipers across the country. The typical worshiper is female, 54 years old, employed, well-educated, and married.
But that snapshot masks lots of differences and variability. Though the median age of worshipers is 54, most worshipers are not age 54. In fact 30% are over the age of 65. Most worshipers are employed, but 29% are retired and 7% are full-time homemakers. As a group, worshipers have more education than the general population, but 5% did not complete high school. Most worshipers are married, but 14% have never been married, and 16% are widowed or divorced.
And the overall picture varies for subgroups of worshipers, as well. Focus on worshipers in conservative Protestant congregations and the median age is lower (47 years). Focus on worshipers in mainline Protestant churches and the education level is even higher (57% have a college degree). Focus on first-time visitors and only half are married.
What subgroups make a real difference in the worshiper profile?
Faith Group. When we present results of the U.S. Congregational Life Survey, we often look at differences based on faith group. We compare three groups—conservative Protestants, mainline Protestants, and Catholics. The polity, practices, and beliefs of these groups set them apart and have an influence on the types of people who choose to worship in such churches and the ministries of the congregation. Conservative Protestants include Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, Seventh-day Adventists, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Church of the Nazarene, most non-denominational churches, and other congregations with an evangelical focus. Mainline Protestants (sometimes called old-line Protestants) include Episcopal Church, United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ, and other more liberal denominations. There are enough Catholic parishes in this country that they comprise a group by themselves.
Faith group influences everything from experiences in worship to sermon length to values to voting.
Congregational Size. A congregation with 20 people in worship on Sunday morning is remarkably different from one where hundreds attend multiple services each week. We focus on average worship attendance rather than membership in determining size because different denominations count membership in different ways, and some don’t use the term “member." Average worship attendance fits almost all congregations. Typically we use three size groups—small congregations with 100 or fewer worshipers, mid-size churches with between 101 and 350 worshipers, and large congregations with more than 350 worshipers in attendance. We don’t have a mega-church category because they are such a small percentage of all congregations in this country (less than 1% of all churches).
Congregational size influences whether a congregation: has a web presence, uses email to stay in touch with worshipers, and has helped send members into ministry.
Other Ways to Compare Worshipers and Congregations. For other issues, regional differences or specific subgroups (grassroots evangelists or emerging adults, for example) make a difference.
So What? Knowing the “high peaks” of America’s religious landscape helps us see the big picture. A profile of typical worshipers and congregations provides a reference point for assessing future possibilities. However, the nuances of diversity in the nation’s congregations reveal just as much, if not more. One size does not fit all. What works in one location or congregation probably won’t work at all locations, or in the same way in other places. Knowing the ways your congregation is different from others is the first step toward effective ministries.
How Do You Compare to Other Worshipers? Find out.
How Is Your Congregation Different? Your congregation can take the U.S. Congregational Life Survey to discover how what make it unique and what strengths it has. Learn more.
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