[May 2002]

Small churches in America face “many challenges,” including fewer men in the pews, once-a-week gatherings and fewer newcomers at services. Those are some of the findings of a study that interviewed 300,000 worshipers in 2,200 congregations of all faiths in the 50 states, The Washington Times reported. Released this week, the Congregational Life Survey found that half of all small congregations comprise just 11 percent of all worshipers. “This is probably the most profound reality facing congregations today,” the report said. “Most congregations are small.” In contrast, large congregations represent just 10 percent of all the 300,000 houses of worship nationwide, but draw half of all worshipers. The study also found that small congregations face further declines in funding, supply of clergy and religious education. Men comprise just 39 percent of the congregations, 56 percent of all parishioners attend only one service weekly. Just 46 percent of worshipers had invited another person in the last year. Only 45 percent of Americans identify as members of a denomination, and only about 20 percent of the population worships on a given weekend. (Charisma News Service)