wfn.org | Newsline: Church of the Brethren reports 2008 membership loss

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

'CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN YEARBOOK' REPORTS 2008 MEMBERSHIP LOSS

(June 4, 2009) Elgin, IL -- Church of the Brethren membership in the US and  Puerto Rico dropped below 125,000 for the first time since the 1920s, acco rding to 2008 data from the "Church of the Brethren Yearbook."

The denomination's membership stood at 124,408 at the end of 2008, accordin g to data reported by congregations. The total number of congregations in t he church also hit a landmark, dipping by seven to 999. There are also 50 f ellowships and projects, an increase of one from the previous year.

Sixteen districts reported net decreases in membership in 2008; seven repor ted increases. Hardest hit were districts in the Midwest and the Plains, wh ere every district except Michigan reported a decline.

Districts with the largest percentage decreases were Southern Plains (17.1  percent), Oregon/Washington (7.8 percent), Southern Pennsylvania (5.6 perce nt), and Western Plains (5.3 percent). The largest numerical decreases were  in Southern Pennsylvania (a net loss of 391 members) and Western Pennsylva nia (down 182 members).

The overall denominational decline of 1.24 percent is similar to that of th e past few years and continues a trend dating to the early 1960s. Most "mai nline" denominations in the United States have been experiencing similar tr ends over that period. Studies have attributed the decline to growing secul arism, a growth in independent churches, and changes in ways membership is  recorded, among other factors.

Total reported average weekly worship attendance fell by more than 2,000 fr om the year before, to 59,084, but the number of baptisms in 2008 jumped sh arply to 1,714, up 334 from the previous year and the highest number since  2004. Giving to most agencies and programs declined.

Updated Yearbook figures are based on data provided by congregations that t urn in statistical reports. In 2008, 66.2 percent of the congregations repo rted; this is similar to most recent years, providing a consistent means fo r comparing statistics. About 64 percent reported in 2007.

The Yearbook also lists contact information and statistics for congregation s, districts, and agencies of the denomination, as well as related Brethren  organizations. The 2009 edition is available from Brethren Press; to order  call 800-441-3712.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in  community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the Unit ed States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria,  Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

(Walt Wiltschek, editor of the Church of the Brethren's "Messenger" magazin e, provided this report.)

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org