Newsline: Church of the Brethren membership continues annual drop

[COBNews Newsline]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service -- June 5, 2008
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Director
800-323-8039 ext. 260 -- cobnews at brethren.org

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN CONTINUES ANNUAL DROP IN
MEMBERSHIP

(June 5, 2008) Elgin, IL -- First the good news: Membership in the
Church of the Brethren dropped by a smaller amount in 2007 that in
either of the previous two years, down a net 1,562 members to a total of
125,964 in the US and Puerto Rico. 

And the denomination's smallest district, Missouri/Arkansas, had the
largest percentage gain, adding a net of six new members to grow to 555
(up 1.09 percent). Of the other 19 US districts, the largest losses came
elsewhere in Pennsylvania and the west. Atlantic Northeast, which
covers eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, and Maine, is
the largest district in the denomination, with 14,711 members at the end
of 2007. 

The overall decline of 1.22 percent, however, continues a trend dating to
the early 1960s. Most "mainline" denominations in the United States
have experienced similar trends. Statistics are from data collected
annually by the "Church of the Brethren Yearbook" published by
Brethren Press. The figures do not include Church of the Brethren
membership in other countries, including Nigeria, the Dominican
Republic, Haiti, Brazil, and India. 

The numbers of congregations, fellowships, and projects were all lower
at the end of 2007. Congregations decreased by four, to 1,006;
fellowships dropped from 39 to 37; and projects from 15 to 12. Total
reported average weekly worship attendance fell by nearly 2,500 from
the year before, to 61,125, and the number of baptisms in 2007 dropped
sharply, to 1,380.

But in another bit of good news, reported giving to most agencies and
programs was up, with average per capita giving of $43. Of the major
funds, only the General Board's Core Ministries Fund saw a slight
decrease in actual giving; donations to Bethany Theological Seminary,
On Earth Peace, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, and special-
purpose funds all increased.

Updated "Yearbook" figures are based on data provided by
congregations that turn in statistical reports. In 2007, 64.5 percent of the
congregations reported, slightly less than in most previous years; 68.7
percent reported in 2006. The "Yearbook" also lists contact information
and statistics for congregations, districts, and agencies of the
denomination, as well as related Brethren organizations.
 
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to
continuing 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 traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It
celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts more than 125,000
members across the United 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"
magazine, contributed this report.)

                     # # #

For more information contact:

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

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