wfn.org | Disciples congregations show marginal growth in ‘97

["Wilma Shuffitt"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: July 15, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

98b-41

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Numbers typically don't lie. Nevertheless, the 
latest figures showing a membership drop in the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ) don't show the whole picture. 

	The recently released 1988 Yearbook and Directory of the Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ) shows a total membership decline from 
910,297 to 882,721 in 1997.

	"Overall we're still slowly declining," said the Rev. Lawrence 
Steinmetz, editor, referring to the total membership numbers. "Yet 
it's difficult to tell how much from the numbers alone. Our figures 
show that a majority of churches have grown or remained the same."

	The membership increases are "very modest," representing two or 
three baptisms or a few additions. Nonetheless, these efforts should 
be commended, said the yearbook editor. 

	"We need to celebrate the fact that some of these churches are doing 
a bang-up job. I don't think we should be in lamentation over the 
overall decline, as much as affirming there are some great things 
going on in many of our congregations."

	Some of the best things are going on with congregations in formation 
-- or new church starts. Many of these churches are doing well, 
Steinmetz said. "Most are on their way to growing bigger -- and they 
will."

	Across the church, 24 of the 36 regions have fledgling 
congregations. About a third are Hispanic and are in the Pacific 
Southwest, the Southwest and Florida regions. The remainder are 
Korean, Anglo or African American. 

	The most vibrant churches seem to be those between 100 and 500 
members. "Many of these are experiencing steady growth," Steinmetz 
said. Many are Midwestern congregations, often located in county seat 
communities. "There are some real exciting stories going on there."  

	In these churches, "there's enough critical mass to do some things," 
he mused. In congregations with less than 100, any membership loss is 
a crisis. Rural congregations frequently tend to fit in this 
category. There's no discounting the valuable ministry that goes on 
here. Nevertheless, with every passing year a nagging question 
remains. "If so-and-so dies what will we do?"
	However, overall, Steinmetz believes "we're growing" and have 
"turned the corner.".  

	Membership numbers reported in the annual directory "are at best an 
estimation in many congregations," said Steinmetz. Pastoral 
leadership changes, changing community settings and other factors can 
affect the figures. In addition, up to 25 percent of Disciples 
congregations don't report their membership and giving figures.

	Congregational numbers will typically fluctuate during leadership 
changes. They will often increase as pastors close a ministry in a 
congregation, drop during the interim period, and rise after a new 
pastor arrives. 

	In many communities there are old, established congregations whose 
membership is relatively stable. "St. Louis inner city churches, for 
example, are holding their own. There's no phenomenal growth," he 
said. On the other hand, congregations in "volatile" or changing 
suburban communities have numbers that fluctuate from year to year.  

	Non-reporting congregations are another matter. When congregations 
don't submit their statistics, averages for giving, attendance and 
membership are used for up to three years. If a congregation does not 
provide updated figures in that time, its figures are no longer 
listed in the directory. This does not mean, however, that they cease 
being recognized congregations, according to Steinmetz.

	These factors mean that while participating membership in the 
Indianapolis-based denomination is now 510,974, the actual number may 
be well over 600,000, said Steinmetz. "The total figure is definitely 
higher than what's reported, but there's no way of getting a more 
accurate census."

	-- end --

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