Fast Facts archive

Research Services shares an interesting fact about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) each week. Did you miss a week? Check here for recent Fast Facts.

• Four in 10 pastors belong to a health club or fitness center (41 percent), and of those, most use their membership at least weekly (81 percent)
• Two in three pastors own their own homes, either free and clear (4 percent) or with a mortgage (68 percent). One in 10 rent; one in six live in a manse.
• One-quarter of congregations (27 percent) report that at least one work team was sent out from their congregation to help with disaster relief efforts in the United States in the last two years.
• Most pastors consider their current compensation package to be “fair and reasonable” given the circumstances of the congregation (84 percent).
• One-third of members prefer the Revised Standard or New Revised Standard Versions of the Bible.  One-quarter prefer the New International Version. 
• Two in five PC(USA) congregations have goals for growth.
• A typical PC(USA) congregation has two computers.  One in ten have no computers, and 17 percent have no Internet connection in their building.
• Among those aged 25 or older, most members (80 percent), elders (81 percent) and pastors (86 percent) are currently married.
• Nine in 10 congregations have investments.  Of these 56 percent manage their own investments.
• Most members (53 percent) and elders (51 percent) are Republicans, while half of pastors (49 percent) and most ministers serving in non-pastoral positions (64 percent) are Democrats.
• In three-quarters of PC(USA) congregations, Lord’s Supper elements are distributed to worshipers where they are seated.
• Two-thirds of PC(USA) congregations celebrate the Lord’s Supper in their largest or only worship service about once a month.
• Large majorities of members (86 percent) and pastors (87 percent) rate their health as “excellent” or “good.”
• Prior to ordination, four in 10 ministers had a long-term secular job or career.
• In three-quarters of PC(USA) congregations, Lord’s Supper elements are distributed to worshipers where they are seated.
• The median age is 58 years for members and elders and 52 for pastors.
• Almost half of members (46 percent) live in rural areas, small towns, or cities with populations of less than 50,000
• Median family income is $73,200 for members, $72,100 for elders, and $72,900 for pastors.
• One-half of pastors report at least one sermon on health-related topics in the prior year.
• One in six congregations use social responsibility criteria in their investments.
• A majority of PC(USA) members (63 percent) have graduated from college, including 27 percent with graduate degrees.
• One-half of PC(USA) members are employed. Four in ten are retired, and another 11 percent are full-time homemakers.
• More than half of pastors (54 percent), 43 percent of members and 49 percent of elders read the Bible privately at least weekly
• Seven in 10 ministers received their M.Div. or B.D. degree from a PC(USA)-affiliated theological school.
• Two-thirds of members and elders more than 80 percent of ministers pray privately either daily or almost daily.
• Most members (61 percent) and elders (77 percent) report inviting someone to their congregation in the prior year.
• Eight in 10 members and elders made a financial pledge to their congregation for 2005.
• Half of members have previously been ordained as elders, deacons or both.
• The most common reason given for coming to a new congregation for the first time is a personal invitation.
• A small majority of members (55 percent) and most elders (80 percent) take part three or more hours per month in programs and services of their congregation other than worship.
• Six in ten member and elders live within four miles of their congregation.
• Members have belonged to their current congregation for an average (median) of 16 years.
• Most pastors (61 percent) but only 44 percent of members and 46 percent of elders were raised in a Presbyterian congregation.
• On average, worship attendance is about half of a congregation’s membership.  It is relatively higher in smaller congregations and lower in larger congregations.
• Sessions are larger in larger congregations.
• Two-thirds of PC(USA) congregational expenditures go to local program and local mission.
• Two-thirds of PC(USA) congregational receipts are received through contributions from individuals. Other receipts include capital and building funds, investment income, and bequests.
• Overall, 22 percent of PC(USA) ministers are women; among active ministers, 30 percent are women.
• In 2006, 375 candidates were ordained as Ministers of Word and Sacrament.
• Of 21,360 ministers in the PC(USA), 7,667 are retired and 13,693 are active.
• On average, the largest PC(USA) congregations are in the Synod of Southern California & Hawaii and the smallest are in the Synod of Living Waters.
• Twelve presbyteries reported overall membership gains between 2005 and 2006.
• On average, PC(USA) congregations have 105 members.
• As a percent of state population, the most Presbyterians can be found in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
• The largest numbers of Presbyterians live in Pennsylvania, California, and North Carolina.
• Almost 1,000 PC(USA) congregations have more than 500 members.
• Almost half of PC(USA) congregations have 100 or fewer members.