Beyond the Ordinary

How Are Presbyterian Churches Different from Other Protestant Churches?

By Cynthia Woolever

We want to answer the question: What are the dynamics behind high levels of giving in Presbyterian churches? Before we can do that, however, it is helpful to have a better understanding of what is unique about Presbyterian churches compared to other congregations.

The table below shows a set of factors that previous research has linked to congregational giving levels. We are interested in how Presbyterian churches and worshipers differ from other mainline and conservative Protestant churches. Perhaps these differences are related to how and why Presbyterians give to their local congregation.

The first category relates to the church’s overall worshiper demographics—the ratio of males to females, the racial-ethnic makeup of the congregation, and the percent of worshipers who attend as part of a couple.[i]

Presbyterian demographics: Women make up the majority of worshipers in Presbyterian churches (63%). This is the typical pattern in churches of most Protestant traditions—women outnumber men in the pews. Most Presbyterian worshipers are white (98%). Remember that this is a national random sample. There are some PC(USA) churches where most members are racial-ethnic minorities. However, nationally these racial-ethnic churches are a small percentage of all PC(USA) churches. About half of the Presbyterian worshipers attending services say their spouse comes as well.

The second category captures information about Presbyterian worshipers’ participation patterns and beliefs:  the percentage who attend weekly or more often and how they describe themselves theologically (very conservative, conservative, moderate, liberal, or very liberal).

Presbyterian participation patterns and beliefs: In the average Presbyterian church, 78% of the worshipers report they attend weekly or more often. About half of worshipers describe themselves as very conservative or conservative on theological issues.

The third category of factors we examine in relation to congregational giving relates to congregational values. We asked worshipers to choose three aspects of their congregation that they most value (from a list of 14 items). Two values—focusing on the needs of others in the community (social gospel value) and focusing on reaching the unchurched (evangelistic concern for others)—set Presbyterian congregations apart from conservative Protestant traditions.

Presbyterian values: In the typical Presbyterian church, about equal percentages of worshipers place a high value on the community care ministries of the congregation and on reaching those who do not currently attend anywhere. Of course, in most churches one value would be higher than the other. The figures represent the average overall. Conservative Protestant worshipers tend to value evangelistic outreach to the unchurched more than worshipers in Presbyterian congregations.[ii]

The fourth category of variables relates to characteristics of the local church. The size of the congregation generally plays a role in giving levels. Size is based on average worship attendance. (Because the data are highly skewed, we use the log of church size in subsequent analyses of giving.) Another factor that is often explored in the literature is the impact of church conflict on vitality.

Presbyterian church characteristics: The typical PC(USA) congregation has about 78 people in worship. One-half of Presbyterian churches experienced minor conflict in recent years.[iii]

How are Presbyterian churches similar to other mainline Protestant congregations? The short answer is—in almost all ways. Demographically (gender ratio, racial-ethnic composition, attending with spouse) and in terms of participation and beliefs, worshipers’ values, congregational size, and amount of conflict, Presbyterian churches look strikingly similar to other mainline churches.

However, Presbyterian churches differ in big ways from the typical conservative Protestant church. Compared to conservative Protestant ones, PC(USA) churches:

• Are less likely to see worshipers attending with a spouse.
• Draw worshipers who attend services less often.
• Have worshipers with less conservative views on theological issues.
• Have lower percentages of worshipers who value reaching those who do not attend church.
• More often experience minor conflict.

Do any of these unique characteristics of Presbyterian churches make a difference in the overall giving level of these congregations? Stay tuned for the answer!

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[i] Note that the figures in Table 1 are median percentages of worshipers across all Protestant churches in the random sample and in a random sample of PC(USA) churches. 

[ii] Among the 14 items, the highest percentages of worshipers choose traditional style of worship, sermons, and sharing in Holy Communion.  

[iii] A relatively few pastors reported major conflict that resulted in the departure of worshipers and/or the pastor. The presence of minor conflict was a feature that distinguished the giving levels in congregations. 

Of Denominations, Associations, and Orders

By Deborah Bruce

We’re located in the offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). There’s been much talk here about a new Reformed body that was born last week—the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians.  Some congregations affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) may choose to join this new body either in addition to or instead of belonging to the PC(USA).

How common is belonging to a denomination or association of congregations? Very! Nine in ten congregations report affiliation with a denomination, convention, or similar kind of association.  Of the three faith groups, somewhat fewer conservative Protestant churches have such an affiliation.

Learn more. The Association of Religion Data Archives provides family trees for most major denominational families. These show mergers and splits over the years.

Where will this new body fit in the Presbyterian family tree? Only time will tell.

Money Trumps the Bible

By Deborah Bruce

I just reviewed 2011 Google Analytics results for this blog, and guess what—more readers view posts about money than those about the Bible!

Which posts have been most popular? In the past year, we’ve posted on everything from opinions about guns to embracing your inner failure; from views of God to views of women clergy. Which were most popular? Posts about financial giving. Three of the four most frequently viewed posts—including the single most viewed one—deal with the offering plate: 

1. Where does the money come from?
2. What is the Bible?  
3. Worshiper values make a difference for mainline Protestants
4. Secrets to a full collection plate, part 2  

1. And posts about the Bible? That one’s in second place!

What search terms bring people to our blog? Here are the top four:

1. Sermon length (and similar terms)  
2. Interfaith activities
3. Spiritual resolutions
4. Clergy support groups

1. What have we learned? We’re data junkies, so it shouldn’t be surprising that we find Google Analytics fascinating. But these results also give us a road map for the future. Given our readers’ clear interests, we’ll continue to post about the finances of U.S. congregations. But we won’t neglect the Bible.

What are your interests? If there’s something specific you’re interested in, let us know. Send your suggestions to [email protected]. Also remember that we post about a range of other findings on our website.

And if you haven’t already read our best-sellers, click on those links above and catch up with our other readers.

 

 

The Missing Multiracial Congregation

By Joelle Kopacz

On January 16, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a visionary leader who promoted racial integration and reconciliation. A pastor himself, Dr. King commented on the ironic and discouraging lack of diversity in churches in 1963: “At 11:00 on Sunday morning when we stand and sing and Christ has no east or west, we stand at the most segregated hour in this nation.”

Data from the U.S. Congregational Life Survey indicates that a vast majority of congregations still lack much racial and ethnic diversity. We consider congregations to be racially-ethnically diverse if they have 80% or fewer worshipers in any one racial-ethnic category. In 2001, 9% of congregations participating in the survey modeled diversity, with no significant change by 2008/2009 (7%).

Although there is still much to be done before U.S. congregations achieve greater racial-ethnic unity, many worshipers and congregations are striving to make this hope a reality. Visit these links for ideas and information about multicultural ministry:

• An article on Gerardo Marti, a sociologist who has studied multicultural congregations.
• A list of resources for multicultural ministry from blogger DJ Chuang.
• A review of Jacqueline Lewis’s book, The Power of Stories: A Guide for Leading Multi-Racial and Multi-Cultural Congregations.

 

A Look at the Venue: Where do congregations hold their religious services?

By Cynthia Woolever

At least nine out of ten congregations answer this question with “a church building owned by the congregation.” However, other congregations gather for worship in a variety of venues—schools, public libraries, movie theaters, retail spaces or store fronts, hotels, restaurants, and private homes.[1] In national studies dating back to 2000, researchers find the percentage of congregations meeting in non-traditional settings ranges from 4% to 10%.[2]

While congregations that meet in places other than a traditional church, mosque, or temple are clearly in the minority, their numbers are not insignificant. If 10% of the 350,000 U.S. congregations meet in non-traditional settings, that translates into 35,000 congregations nationally. And that means an average of 700 alternative worshiping sites in each state (if they were evenly distributed).[3] 

A recent article in The New York Times about the use of schools for religious services estimates that some 160 congregations in New York City use school buildings for worship services in this school year alone. 

The positives of meeting in non-traditional venues

Cost savings. In addition to no mortgage payment, these congregations do not have to worry about the costs of building maintenance, security, or capital improvements. They can spend more on church ministries. The FACT 2010 report revealed that congregations spend on average 20% of their budget on building and operation expenses. (This percentage represents a drop from 27% reported by congregations in the FACT 2008 report.) Congregations without their own facilities can use these funds for their ministries instead.   

Quick start for new churches. “Instant” or “pop-up churches” enable a small group of people to start a new congregation without their own building or meeting space. Acquiring land and building on any site can take several years. Without the commitment of a mortgage, new churches can throw more funds toward developing programs and hiring staff for the new ministry.  

A job for every volunteer. Using a public school or other venue involves transforming the space into a place of worship every week. Sometimes called “church in a box,” this strategy requires many people to move and set up chairs, tables, sound and projection equipment, and other items to accommodate the worship service. And, then, take it down again after the service. Some leaders describe this experience as an opportunity to involve a larger group of volunteers and to build community as many pitch in week after week.

The negatives of meeting in non-traditional venues

An obstacle for some visitors. Ed Stetzer, LifeWay Research, examined whether people prefer attending worship services in a traditional church building.[4] One-quarter would avoid non-traditional venues. But the majority (three out of four people) say it does not make any difference to them. This is a surprising finding because church growth advisors long believed that you could not grow a church without a building. More recently, some experts suggest that growing a new church would be easier if visitors could come to neutral territory—in other words, not a traditional church building. The research does not support either theory.

However, Stetzer’s research revealed that holiday churchgoers (those who attend on Easter and Christmas only) strongly prefer traditional locations to non-traditional ones. Catholics, more than other worshipers, also express a preference for church settings. Other national research supports his finding by documenting that non-traditional locations are more common among theologically conservative churches and non-Christian congregations.[5]    

Legal battles. Congregations worshiping in schools or other publicly funded locations (for example, libraries) may face legal complications. In many school districts, religious organizations are permitted to use public schools for worship services. However, a New York City regulation bans the practice. After a lengthy legal battle, a Bronx evangelical church eventually lost when the Supreme Court refused to review a lower-court decision that supported the city ordinance prohibiting use of public schools for worship. Some church lawyers were surprised by this decision, given that the court has ruled multiple times to protect religious worship the same as secular speech. The contradictory arguments for separation of church and state and those honoring worshipers’ First Amendment rights are unlikely to be resolved soon.

Making a space sacred

Rising costs and shrinking budgets suggest more congregations in the future may consider non-traditional worship locations. More congregations are meeting in multiple locations than in the past, which sometimes necessitates using secular places for worship.[6] With planning and consideration for all parties involved, a renting congregation can be a blessing for its host site. Ron Edmondson (www.churchleaders.com) gives the following advice for churches meeting in a school: (1) grow volunteers; (2) love the school; (3) realize it’s not a rental situation; (4) be a blessing; (5) don’t interrupt school; (6) view your rent as a contribution; and (7) acknowledge critical players.[7] Good advice for all congregations making a space sacred.     

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[1] Less than 1% rent space from another church.

[2] See the U.S. Congregational Life Survey, 2001 and 2008/2009 (www.USCongregations.org); National Congregations Study (archived on the ARDA website); Faith Communities Today: FACT 2008 and FACT 2010.

[3] The National Congregation Study found that non-traditional locations were least common in the Northeast.

[4] LifeWay Research blog

[5] National Congregations Study (ARDA).

[6] http://leadnet.org/resources/download/multisite_is_multiplying_new_developments_in_the_movements_expansion/

[7] http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-how-tos/150776-7-outreach-suggestions-for-churches-meeting-in-schools.html