A third Presbyterian denomination experienced growth during the past year. Along with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) grew in almost all categories during 2016.
Click on image to make it larger.
In total membership, the PCA increased by 3,829 people, from 370,332 in 2015 to 374,161 in 2016. It also added 11 churches for a total of 1,545 congregations in 2016; and three presbyteries, totaling 85 in denomination.
Total contributions were also up in 2016 – by more than $30 million. PCA contributions for the year totaled $814,314,196, up from 2015’s total of $783,835,109. That’s a total increase of $30,479,087.
Other 2016 increases included:
- Missions: 347 in 2016; 327 in 2015; an increase of 20
- Teaching elders: 4,761 in 2016; 4,630 in 2015; increase of 131
- Candidates: 637 in 2016; 549 in 2015; increase of 88
- Licentiates: 170 in 2016; 142 in 2015; increase of 28
- Professions of faith by adults: 5,306 in 2016; 5,182 in 2015; an increase of 124
- Communicants: 291,147 in 2016; 287,746 in 2015; an increase of 3,401
- Infant baptism: 5,581 in 2016; 5,424 in 2015; an increase of 157
There were slight decreases in some areas including:
- Professions of faith by children: 4,423 in 2016; 4,497 in 2015; a decrease of 74
- Family units: 141,877 in 2016; 142 in 2015; a decrease of 380
- Sunday school attendance: 95,000 in 2016; 97,719 in 2015; a decrease of 2,719
- Adult baptisms: 7,399 in 2016; 7,435 in 2015; a decrease of 36
45th General Assembly
The Presbyterian Church in America held its 45th General Assembly this week in Greensboro, N.C.
Dr. Alexander Jun, founding member and ruling elder of New Life mission Church in Fullerton, Calif., was elected as moderator of the assembly.
According to the PCA’s online news magazine ByFaith, Jun is a “departure from previous moderators … As a West Coast Presbyterian, a member of a Korean Presbyterian Church, and a Korean-American, Jun represents the changing face of the denomination.
ByFaith quoted Jun saying that his election “gives hope for other minorities who have always seen just one dominant group represented consistently. It could represent change in the way we recognize different leadership styles.”
Other PCA General Assembly news can be found on the ByFaith web site:
1 Comment. Leave new
The PCA has more missionaries on accident than we have in the pcusa on purpose.