PCUSA membership
totals decline again
The Layman, July 17, 2012
The 2011 statistics for the Presbyterian Church (USA) show that membership in the denomination is now less than 2 million people and that contributions have decreased by more than $20 million.
Total membership in the PCUSA at the end of 2011 was 1,952,287, showing a loss of 63,804 members since 2010. Membership in the denomination has fallen each year since 1965 when the PCUSA reached its highest total membership of 4,254,597.
The PCUSA claims 10,466 congregations in 2011, 94 fewer than in 2010. The statistics show that 75 churches were dissolved, while 21 were dismissed to other denominations. Eighteen churches were organized in 2011. According to data from the Office of the General Assembly, 75 percent of PCUSA congregations have 200 or fewer members; 18 percent have 201-500 members; and eight percent have 501 or more members.
There were 42,122 female elders in the PCUSA in 2011, 1,852 fewer than in 2010; and 40,592 male elders, down 2,211 from 2010. The number of deacons also decreased, 41,117 female and 16,697 male in 2011 – down 2,112 and 471 respectively.
Contributions in 2011 totaled $2,003,565,190, a decrease of $23,914,012 from 2010.
The statistics were released in late June by the Office of the General Assembly.