A STATISTICAL PROFILEWITH REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR CHURCH LEADERS
RESEARCH FROM THE UCC CENTER FOR ANALYTICS, RESEARCH AND DATA (CARD)
FA L L 2 0 1 8
QUICK SUMMARY OF UCC STATISTICS
MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION CONGREGATIONS: 4,956*
MEMBERS: 853,778
AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP: 174
AVERAGE WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: 69
AVERAGE CONFIRMATIONS: 6
AVERAGE CONFESSIONS: 6
AVERAGE TRANSFERS IN: 5
AVERAGE REAFFIRMATIONS: 6
AVERAGE DEATHS: 5
AVERAGE TRANSFERS OUT: 4
AVERAGE CHILD BAPTISMS: 4
AVERAGE ADULT BAPTISMS: 0.88
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM: 41.5%
YOUTH PROGRAM: 23.2%
OPEN AND AFFIRMING: 29.5%
ACCESSIBLE: 84.5%
WEB URL/WEB PRESENCE: 67.1%
RACE/ETHNICITY BY CONGREGATIONWHITE/EURO-AMERICAN: 83.1%
AFRICAN-AMERICAN: 4.7%
ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER: 3.8%
HISPANIC/LATINO: 0.4%
NATIVE AMERICAN: 0.5%
BI-RACIAL/MULTI-RACIAL AND OTHER: 7.5%
STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCES** AVERAGE BASIC SUPPORT: $5,489 – 75.0%
AVERAGE OTHER UCC GIVING: $3,561 – 73.0%***
AVERAGE TOTAL OCWM: $8,215 – 81.8%
AVERAGE ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: $658 – 63.6%
AVERAGE NEIGHBORS IN NEED: $432 – 53.8%
AVERAGE CHRISTMAS FUND: $530 – 50.6%
AVERAGE STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH: $295 – 42.2%
5 FOR 5 CHURCHES: 32.7%
AVERAGE OTHER GIFTS: $12,398
AVERAGE OPERATING EXPENSES: $176,546
AVERAGE TOTAL INCOME: $249,919
* The number of congregations increases to 5,034 if Schedule 1 and 2 congregations are included.** Calculations on Stewardship and Finances include Schedule 1 and 2 churches. Averages are calculated among giving congregations only and exclude congregations that did not give in that particular category in 2016.*** Other UCC Giving is a 2017 data collection name and process change formerly known as Special Support. Prior to 2017 this data was primarily reported by conferences on behalf of their churches with the churches reporting only UCC Special Support (money that was given directly to UCC agencies and organization). In 2017 this was shifted and churches reported the bulk of this giving with the conferences reporting only the four Special Mission Offerings.
TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CONGREGATIONAL STATISTICS
CONGREGATIONS AND MEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
GROWTH AND DECLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH AND DECLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CONGREGATIONS BY RACE/ETHNICITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CONGREGATIONS BY DATE OF ORGANIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
CONGREGATION SIZE BY MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/FAITH FORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CONGREGATIONAL DESIGNATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
MISSION/IMMERSION/SERVICE TRIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
MINISTERIAL STATISTICS
SUMMARY OF UCC ORDAINED MINISTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
TRENDS IN ORDAINED MINISTRY OVER TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS BY AGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS BY RACE/ETHNICITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
ORDAINED MINISTERS IN LOCAL CHURCHES BY RACE/ETHNICITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS BY GENDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
ORDAINED MINISTERS IN LOCAL CHURCHES BY GENDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
ORDINATIONS AND MEMBERS IN DISCERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
LOCAL CHURCH FINANCIAL TRENDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
STEWARDSHIP AND MISSION SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
THE CHURCH DOLLAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SPECIAL REPORTS
STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS ON ADVOCACY THROUGH THE JUSTICE AND PEACE ACTION NETWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES OF UCC CONGREGATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS ON THE NEW AND RENEWING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES GRANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INSIDE BACK COVER
The United Church of Christ is a dynamic, evolving movement of people and institutions across location and time. The contents of this
booklet attempt to provide a deeper understanding of this movement, though what is articulated in these pages provides only a narrow view
of a much broader landscape.
Statistics—basic numerical facts about a particular organization or body—present specific bits of information to assist humans in illuminating
the past, realizing the present, and envisioning the future. As such, this profile provides a general statistical overview of the state of the
denomination—past and present—along with “Reflections,” questions for local church leaders to apply this data to their particular contexts
for the purpose of visioning future possibilities. In addition, there are three “Special Report” sections highlighting various areas of ministry
within the United Church of Christ—Justice and Local Church Ministries.
Information for the profile was drawn primarily from data reported through the UCC Data Hub annually for the production of the UCC
Yearbook & Directory. We hope you enjoy this edition!
INTRODUCTION
The Center for Analytics, Research and Data (CARD)United Church of Christ
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
4 |
CONGREGATIONS AND MEMBERS
At the end of 2017, there were 4,956 congregations in the United Church
of Christ with a total of 853,778 members. Overall, the membership of the
UCC represented less than one percent (0.6%) of total U.S. congregational
membership and was concentrated in the Great Lakes, Middle Atlantic,
and New England regions of the country.
In determining congregational statistics by state, 11.8% of all UCC
congregations were located in Pennsylvania, which reported the greatest
number of congregations. In total, the top five states with the most
congregations contained over one-third (37.7%) of all UCC congregations.
UCC CONGREGATIONS AND MEMBERS
BY REGION
REGION CONGREGATIONS % OF UCC MEMBERS % OF UCC
Great Lakes 1,163 23.5 260,711 30.5
Middle Atlantic 1,003 20.2 169,277 19.8
New England 1,026 20.7 169,159 19.8
Southern 405 8.2 62,360 7.3
Western 637 12.9 77,882 9.1
West Central 700 14.1 113,191 13.3
Non-Geographic 22 .4 998 .1
Total 4,956 100.0 853,778 100.0
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UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
REFLECTIONSReflections: Is the term “membership” a beneficial way of appropriately counting all of the people connected with a congregation? Besides membership, are there other ways that in-dividuals associate with your church? What terminology do you use to describe these as-sociations? How might that participation be tracked or measured over time in order to more accurately represent the number of people affiliated with a congregation?
TOP FIVE STATES: UCC MEMBERSHIP
TOP FIVE STATES: UCC CONGREGATIONS
STATE PERCENTAGE (NUMBER)
Pennsylvania 13.6 (115,749)
Illinois 10.3 (87,969)
Ohio 9.8 (83,285)
Connecticut 7.1 (60,371)
Massachusetts 7.1 (60,298)
STATE PERCENTAGE (NUMBER)
Pennsylvania 11.8 (583)
Massachusetts 7.2 (358)
Ohio 6.8 (339)
Illinois 6.7 (334)
New York 5.1 (252)
A detailed list of congregations and membership statistics by Conference can be found in the 2018 UCC Yearbook & Directory, p. 5.
Membership was concentrated largely in Midwestern / Northern and New
England states with 47.7% of all UCC members in five states alone. Not all
states with the greatest number of churches possessed the greatest number
of members, however. For example, only 4.6% of all UCC congregations
were located in Connecticut; but more members were reported in this state
(60,371) than in New York (30,141) even though New York reported more
congregations. This indicates that average church membership was greater
in Connecticut than in New York.
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
6 |
GROWTH AND DECLINE
Similar to other Protestant denominations, the UCC has experienced a
decline in the numbers of congregations and members in recent decades.
From 2006 to 2016 alone, the UCC encountered a net loss of 518 congre-
gations and 316,091 members. Some of this decline, however, began prior
to the formation of the denomination in 1957 as the number of congrega-
tions steadily decreased despite membership increases in the UCC’s early
years.
In 2017, 74 congregations were removed from denominational records.
Despite this decrease, congregational decline has slowed in recent years.
From 2005 through 2007, the UCC experienced a loss of nearly three
congregations per week on average (mostly as a result of General Synod’s
resolution regarding same-sex marriage). In the past year, however, only
one congregation was eliminated from denominational records every 1
1/4 weeks.
Inversely, 25 congregations were added to denominational records in 2017.
In total, 85 congregations received standing and were added to the UCC
over the last five years. In this same time period, a new congregation (a
church that received standing, affiliated, or merged with another congre-
gation) was added about every three weeks.
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0Congregations
1957 1967 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017
2200000
2000000
1800000
1600000
1400000
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0Membership
1957 1967 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0Congregations
1957 1967 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017
2200000
2000000
1800000
1600000
1400000
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0Membership
1957 1967 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017
UCC CONGREGATION AND MEMBERSHIP
CHANGES BY DECADE (1957–2017)*
CO
NG
RE
GA
TIO
NS
ME
MB
ER
SH
IP
8,2
83
2,1
93
,59
3
2,0
52,8
57
1,78
5,6
52
1,6
62,5
68
6,9
09
6,5
12
6,3
95
6,0
611,
43
8,1
81
5,3
77
1,14
5,2
81
4,9
56
85
3,7
78
1957 1967* 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017
* The significant decrease in congregations between 1955 and 1965 was due largely to the decisions of 1,000 Congregational Christian Churches not to unite with the United Church of Christ. During this same period, however, UCC congregations experienced an increase in membership which is not reflected in this table. A detailed statistical summary by year can be found in the 2018 UCC Yearbook & Directory, pp. 8-9.
1957 1967* 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017
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UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH AND DECLINE
In general, the number of members removed each year exceeds the num-
ber of members added for that same time period. Members are removed
from denominational records for a number of reasons including death,
transfer of membership to another denomination, or updating of local
church membership records.
The difference between UCC members added and removed was smaller
in 2017 than in 2015. In 2017, 20,960 members were added and 37,620
members were removed, with a net loss of 16,660 members. In 2015, there
was a net loss of 19,625 members. (Note that net loss figures represented
here are different than figures represented in the UCC Yearbook &
Directory, which are based on total membership.) Over time, addition and
removal differences have fluctuated; but both have decreased steadily as
total membership has decreased.
REFLECTIONSHow has your membership or worship attendance changed over the last decade? How has the landscape of local churches changed in your community or region? How many new congregations have appeared in your area in the past ten years, and what characteristics do you notice about those churches? How many congregations have closed, merged, or changed denominational affiliation?
MEMBERSHIP ADDITIONS AND REMOVALS
OVER TIME (1965–2017)*
130,000
140,000
120,000
110,000
100,000
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20152017
ADDED REMOVED
* Addition and removal numbers reflect current congregational changes for a particular year; they do not include additions for congregations that joined the UCC or removals for congregations that closed, merged, or disaffiliated from the denomination.
127,903
95,023
89,44382,637
76,76571,569
59,562
52,714
40,720
28,395
126,849
106,453
94,921
87,09389,267
78,591
65,51662,235
46,830
42,349
37,620
128,988
22,72420,960
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
8 |
CONGREGATIONS BY RACE/ETHNICITY
A significant majority of congregations in the UCC self-identify as White/
Euro-American (meaning that most members of a congregation belong
to that particular racial/ethnic group). Over time, however, the UCC as
a whole is becoming more racially/ethnically diverse. Over the last de-
cade, the percentage of primarily White/Euro-American congregations
decreased from 90.4% in 2007 to 83.1% in 2017; and the percentage of
Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial and Other congregations increased from 1.5% in
2007 to 7.5% in 2017. In addition, the percentage of Asian/Pacific Islander
congregations increased to 3.8% in 2017 from 3.1% in 2007. One cause of
this shift over time may be due to the fact that the majority of congrega-
tions that close, merge, or disaffiliate with the denomination are primarily
White/Euro-American congregations, thus decreasing their overall per-
centage. This is also coupled with the fact that newer UCC congregations
tend to be more racially/ethnically diverse.
White/Euro-American Black/African American
Asian/Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino Native American
Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial/Other
White/Euro-American Black/African American
Asian/Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino Native American
Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial/Other
White/Euro-American Black/African American
Asian/Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino Native American
Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial/Other
White/Euro-American Black/African American
Asian/Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino Native American
Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial/Other
UCC CONGREGATIONS BY RACIAL/ETHNIC
SELF-IDENTIFICATION (PERCENTAGE)
2017
200
7
83.1
90.4
7.5
1.5
.5
.4
.4
.4
3.8
3.1
4.7
4.2
WHITE/EURO-AMERICAN
WHITE/EURO-AMERICAN
BLACK/AFRICAN-AMERICAN
BLACK/AFRICAN-AMERICAN
ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER
ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER
HISPANIC/LATINO
HISPANIC/LATINO
NATIVE AMERICAN
NATIVE AMERICAN
BI-RACIAL/MULTI-RACIAL/OTHER
BI-RACIAL/MULTI-RACIAL/OTHER
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UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
CONGREGATIONS BY DATE OF ORGANIZATION
While the UCC has only been in existence since 1957, many of its con-
gregations were founded by predecessor denominations. Over two thirds
of churches (68.8%) were organized before 1900. Two out of ten congre-
gations (21.0%) were organized between 1900 and 1969, and one in ten
(10.3%) were organized in the last 47 years. Over time, the percentage of
the UCC’s newer churches is slowly increasing while the percentage of
older churches is slowly decreasing.
1616–1849 1850–1899 1900–1939 1940–1969
1970–1999 2000–2017
UCC CONGREGATIONS BY DATE OF
ORGANIZATION (PERCENTAGE)
4.3
6.0
8.6
12.4
31.0
37.8
1616–1849 1850–1899 1900–1939 1940–1969
1970–1999 2000–2017
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
10 |
CONGREGATION SIZE BY MEMBERSHIP
Nearly three in ten UCC members (29.4%) belong to congregations of 201-400 members, and this figure did not change significantly over the past decade.
An increased percentage of UCC individuals held membership in smaller churches over this same time period, however, with 36.4% of all members at-
tending congregations with 200 or fewer members in 2017 compared to 27.7% of all members in 2007. This trend is expected to continue in future years.
As a result, percentages of smaller membership UCC congregations increased over the past decade. Four in ten congregations (45.6%) reported a member-
ship of 100 or fewer, compared with 37.1% in 2007. Congregations with 101-200 members increased slightly since 2007, from 26.7% to 27.2%.
PERCENT OF UCC MEMBERS BY
CONGREGATION SIZE
PERCENT OF UCC CONGREGATIONS
BY SIZE
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400 401–600
601–1,000 1,001 and over1–50 1–5051–100 51–100101–200 101–200201–400 201–400401–600 401–600
601–1,000 601–1,0001,001 AND OVER 1,001 AND OVER
13.7
23.4
10.918.5
16.9
14.3
11.3 7.59.1
5.22.4 1.5 .93.9 2.63.8
7.2 16.410.121.9
18.1
20.722.5
27.230.5 26.729.4
23.7
2007 20072017 2017
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UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
When considering worship attendance figures rather than membership
size, even more congregations are categorized as smaller churches. In 2017,
eight in ten churches in the UCC (83.4%) had a weekly worship attendance
of 1–100, a 10.5% increase from 2010 and a 35.8% increase from 2000.
Over time, the percentage of congregations with greater worship atten-
dance numbers has decreased steadily, with the most dramatic decreases
occurring in congregations of 101-400 worship attenders since 1995. As a
result, half (50.9%) of all UCC congregations now have a weekly worship
attendance of 1–50 individuals.
REFLECTIONSWhat does the increase in smaller church worship attendance signal—a greater desire for relationship and connection in smaller groups, the decrease in weekly worship attendance to a few times a month, or the overall shift in the ways people worship and participate in congregational life (or all of the above)? Are there other reasons? What are you noticing in your congregation and community?
PERCENT OF UCC CONGREGATIONS BY
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
3.6
2015 2017
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
2010200520001995
1–50 51–100 101–150 151–200
201–400 401 AND OVER
47.8
50.9
34.732.5
11.2
3.4 3.22.9
13.3
9.9
5.6
16.7
8.4
1.9
9.0
.6
7.78.9
10.0
.71.1
9.8
17.9
.7
18.0
1.5
31.7
34.433.633.3
40.8
33.4
27.828.3
4.9
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
12 |
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
The relationship between worship attendance and membership is shifting
incrementally over time. From 1995 to 2017, decreased percentages
of people attended worship when compared to total congregational
membership, except for the smallest membership congregations. On
average, 73.4% of a 1-50 member congregation’s total membership attended
worship on a weekly basis in 1995. In 2017, an average of 87.4% of members
attended weekly worship for the same size congregation. Overall, a greater
percentage of members regularly attend worship in smaller congregations
when compared with larger congregations, which suggests that the nature
of relationships in smaller versus larger congregations may affect overall
participation rates.
AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF WORSHIP
ATTENDANCE TO MEMBERSHIP BY SIZE
25
30
40
75
65
55
45
35
50
60
70
80
85
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400
401–600 601–1,000
1,001 AND OVER
73.476.1 77.5
75.4
80.2
87.4
59.7
49.2
40.8
36.4 36.8 35.7
34.233.934.0
29.5
36.0
33.4
35.133.5
31.3
35.7
31.6
34.531.429.9
30.9
41.138.9 37.5
35.3 34.8
49.146.8 45.7
43.7 43.6
59.758.2
56.3 55.7 54.9
201720152010200520001995
| 13
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/ FAITH FORMATION
Since the 1950s, enrollment and attendance numbers for Christian
Education/Faith Formation programming (also known as Church School
or Sunday School enrollment in previous years) has been declining
along with membership numbers. While this decline is not surprising,
it is interesting to note that overall participation/enrollment rates,
when computed as a percentage of total membership, have decreased
significantly from the 1950s and 1960s but has not changed dramatically
in the last several years. Currently, percentages indicate that roughly two
out of every ten people in the UCC (19.9%) participated in these types of
programs in 2017, at least in the traditional sense.
PERCENTAGE OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/
FAITH FORMATION PARTICIPANTS TO TOTAL
MEMBERSHIP (1955–2017)
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
61.3
52.4
31.8
26.8 25.9
21.319.6
19.9
201720151955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
14 |
PERCENTAGE OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/
FAITH FORMATION AVERAGE WEEKLY
ATTENDANCE TO TOTAL PARTICIPATION/
ENROLLMENT (1995–2017)
CHILDREN/YOUTH (0–17) ADULTS (18+)
When comparing participation/enrollment with average weekly
attendance figures, even fewer children and adults participated in
Christian Education/Faith Formation programs on a regular basis. The
gap between enrollment and attendance has increased incrementally over
time, meaning that smaller percentages of total participants in Christian
Education/Faith Formation programs are attending these programs on a
weekly basis. These patterns matched average weekly worship attendance
patterns, which have also decreased over time.
In general, adult Faith Formation programs were attended more
regularly than children/youth programs. This may be due to a number
of factors including competing interests for young people’s attention on
Sunday mornings, the overall decline in numbers of younger people in
congregational life, and increases in the diversity of family situations
around divorce and co-parenting.
48
.0
66
.4
47.
0
54
.3
41.
5
49
.4
46
.1
54
.4
36
.8
41.
8
37.5
42
.6
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017
| 15
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
CONGREGATIONAL DESIGNATIONS
In the past decade, there was a 102.9% increase in the number of Open and
Affirming (ONA) congregations in the United Church of Christ, from 720
churches (13.4% of all UCC churches in 2007) to 1,461 churches (29.5% of
all UCC congregations in 2017). The majority of congregations that were
identified as ONA tended to be organized prior to 1940 since the major-
ity of all UCC congregations were organized in this time period as well;
however, it is important to note that greater percentages of newer con-
gregations were identified as ONA compared with older congregations.
For example, nearly four in ten (39.5%) congregations that organized since
1970 were identified as ONA. Older congregations organized prior to 1970
were less likely to be ONA (28.4%).
Roughly eight in ten (85.5%) congregations self-identified as being acces-
sible to individuals with disabilities. While the specific types and degrees
of accessibility among these congregations were not known, it is interest-
ing to note that congregations organized before 1970 identified as acces-
sible at greater percentages (86.0%) than congregations organized since
1970 (71.5%).
COMPARISONS OF OPEN AND AFFIRMING
(ONA) AND ACCESSIBLE CONGREGATIONS
TO TOTAL UCC CONGREGATIONS BY YEAR OF
ORGANIZATION (PERCENTAGE)
ONA UCCACCESSIBLE
5
0
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
1616–1849 1850–1899 1900–1939 1940–1969 1970–1999 2000–2017
32
.73
2.3
30
.9
29
.0
10.7
13.8
7.4
6.4
38
.0
11.8
9.1
5.1
3.6
37.8
12.3
8.6
6.0
4.3
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
16 |
CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH
Reporting statistics indicated that an average of 2,162 community mem-
bers were impacted by each local church’s outreach activities and initia-
tives in 2017. This was an increase of 137.8% from 2016. As expected, larger
congregations reported greater numbers. The total sum of community
members engaged in 2017 was 3,903,843 with 34.9% of all congregations
reporting (including new/proposed congregations), which was a 409.1%
increase from 2014 (766,719 engaged with 22.4% of congregations report-
ing), the first year that this category was included in annual church re-
porting. The significant increase was due most likely to increased famil-
iarity with, and awareness of, this reporting category by local churches.
AVERAGE COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS BY
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP SIZE
34
8
59
9
1,3
48
1,0
32
1,9
33
3,3
55
2,9
04
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400
601–1,000401–600 1,001 AND OVER
| 17
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
MISSION/IMMERSION/SERVICE TRIPS
Since 2014, congregations have been asked to report whether members of
their congregation participated in a U.S. or international mission/immer-
sion/service trip. In 2017, 618 (12.3%) congregations reported that mem-
bers had participated in these types of trips (including new/proposed con-
gregations). This was an increase from 2014 when 416 (8.1%) congregations
reported trip participation.
MISSION TRIPS BY CHURCH MEMBERSHIP SIZE
(PERCENTAGE)
3.92.6
10.2
16.2
24.6
10.0
32.5
1–50 51–100 101–200 201–400
401–600 601–1,000
1,001 AND OVER
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
18 |
SUMMARY OF UCC ORDAINED MINISTERS
At the end of 2017, there were 9,876 reported Ordained Ministers in Full
Standing, including Retired Ministers and Pastor Emeriti. Of those 9,876
Ordained Ministers, nearly one-half (47.8% or 4,720) were employed, with
70.4% (3,325) of those employed actively serving in a local church (either
a UCC church or non-UCC church). Four out of ten (41.4% or 4,086) were
Retired Ministers or Pastor Emeriti, and 10.8% (1,070) were unclassified
(ministers who did not hold a position at the time of Yearbook production
or whose position had not been reported at that time) or were on a leave
of absence.
See Appendix for a detailed summary of Ordained Ministers by classification.
Over the last 32 years (1985 to 2017), Ordained Ministers only had a
numerical net decrease of 209 (2.1%). However, the number of employed
Ordained Ministers decreased by one third (-33.8%), while Retired
Ministers and Pastor Emeriti saw an increase of 82.4% over this same 32
year period.
SUMMARY OF UCC ORDAINED MINISTERS
7,12
8
6,3
732
,95
9
2,2
40
924717
5,5
193
,48
71,
22
5
4,9
52
3,9
50
1,0
70
4,7
20
4,0
86
1,0
70
2015 2017200519951985
0
2000
3000
1000
5000
6000
4000
7000
8000
9000
10000
CURRENTLY EMPLOYED
OTHERS (UNCLASSIFIED/LEAVE OF ABSENCE)
RETIRED/PASTOR EMERITI
| 19
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS
As of December 31, 2017, there were a total of 6,948 active (non-retired)
Authorized Ministers in the United Church of Christ (Ordained, Li-
censed, Dual Standing, Ordained Ministerial Partner, and Standing
Commissioned). Ordained Ministers were the largest percentage of active
ministers reported (83.3%); and Licensed Ministers comprised the second
largest group of Authorized Ministers (8.9%). In addition, four ministers
hold standing in the Congregational Christian Church.
ACTIVE, NON-RETIRED AUTHORIZED
UCC MINISTERS
ORDAINED LICENSED DUAL STANDING
ORDAINED MINISTERIAL PARTNER
= 24.125 PEOPLE
COMMISSIONED
616 300
128
5,790
114
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
20 |
TRENDS IN ORDAINED MINISTRY OVER TIME
Since 1990, the number of Ordained Ministers has remained relatively stable, though there are slight incremental decreases in more recent years. In
addition, the number of Retired Ministers and Pastor Emeriti has increased steadily. Interestingly, in this same time period, the number of Ordained
Ministers serving in local congregations decreased at steadily similar rates due to overall congregational and membership decline. If past trends continue,
which are predicted to be the case, there will be no clergy supply shortage in future years, even though retirements continue to increase.
TRENDS IN ORDAINED MINISTRY (1990-2017)
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2017
ORDAINED MINISTERS (INCLUDING RETIRED) ACTIVE, NON-RETIRED ORDAINED MINISTERS ORDAINED MINISTERS IN UCC LOCAL CHURCHES
RETIRED MINISTERS UNCLASSIFIED MINISTERS*
* Ministers who don’t have a particular position listed on their record; includes Leave of Absence ministers, though the number of these ministers is minimal within the overall total
10,232
7,714
4,8794,512 4,443 4,449 4,317 4,202 4,295
4,081 3,892 3,717
3,572 3,494 3,443 3,472 3,325
1,070
4,0864,0293,8683,7963,768
3,6433,5423,4423,2743,2953,1813,0252,8902,661
2,518
940 1,125899 944 1,034 1,021 1,194 1,192 1,254 1,229 1,209 1,183 1,119 1,071
7,542 7,323 7,286 7,122 6,968 7,0906,813 6,726 6,558 6,406 6,262 6,145
5,868 5,790
10,203 10,213
10,311 10,303 10,263 10,364 10,255 10,268 10,201 10,174 10,058 10,013 9,897 9,876
| 21
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS BY AGE
Statistical information regarding Authorized Ministers in the denomi-
nation reflects an increasingly aging population. When all active (non-
retired) Authorized Ministers were considered, over one half were age
60 and above (54.1%) and over one-fourth were 50-59 (25.5%), making
79.6% of all active ministers age 50 and over. When measuring changes
over time, the percentage of local church pastors and co-pastors under 60
decreased in the last thirteen years from 67.6% in 2004 to 48.2% in 2017,
while pastors and co-pastors 60 and over increased significantly (from
28.4% in 2004 to 51.8% in 2017).
ACTIVE, NON-RETIRED AUTHORIZED
MINISTERS BY AGE (PERCENTAGE)
54.1
25.5
28.4
42.8
19.0
5.8 7.8
12.4
28.0
51.8
8.1
12.3 REFLECTIONSWhat is the approximate age range of your pastor? Think about the individuals who have previously served as pastors of your congregation and their approximate ages when beginning and ending their calls with your church. Do you notice any patterns?
On another note, an increasing number of second-career, third-career, and retired individuals are entering seminary and becoming ordained. How do you envision that this might impact the UCC and other similar traditions in the future?
* Includes Senior Pastors; does not include Interim, Designated-Term, or Supply Pastors** 2007 data was not available, so 2004 data was used. 2004 data does not include Licensed or Commissioned Ministers and does not equal 100%.
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2017 20172004**
ALL ACTIVE AUTHORIZED
MINISTERSPASTORS* AND
CO-PASTORS ONLY
UNDER 40 40–49 50–59 60+
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
22 |
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS BY RACE/ETHNICITY
The majority (87.3%) of all active, non-retired UCC Authorized Ministers identified as White/Euro-American, with 12.7% identifying as non-white.
Among the various types of authorization, Ministers with Dual Standing were the most racially/ethnically diverse group with three in ten (29.5%) min-
isters listed as non-white. Commissioned Ministers and Ministers with Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing were the least racially/ethnically diverse
authorization groups, with no Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, or Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial ministers listed within denominational records.
UCC AUTHORIZED MINISTERS BY RACIAL/ETHNIC SELF-IDENTIFICATION
(PERCENTAGE)RACE/ETHNICITY ORDAINED LICENSED COMMISSIONED DUAL STANDING ORDAINED MINISTERIAL PARTNER STANDING
White/Euro-American 88.3 81.1 91.0 70.5 95.1
African-American 7.8 10.2 9.0 12.3 3.9
Asian/Pacific Islander 2.1 4.1 — 14.1 —
Hispanic/Latino 1.1 2.4 — 2.3 1.0
Native American 0.1 0.4 — 0.5 —
Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial/Other 0.5 1.7 — 0.5 —
Total 99.9 99.9 100.0 100.2 100.0
* Totals do not equal 100 due to rounding.
| 23
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
ORDAINED MINISTERS IN LOCAL CHURCHES BY RACE/ETHNICITY
Regarding racial/ethnic representation in local church pastor positions, active, non-retired White/Euro-American Ordained Ministers were over-
represented in all positions except for the role of associate/assistant pastor. For example, while only 88.3% of all UCC Ordained Ministers identified as
White/Euro-American, they constituted 90.4% of all senior/solo pastors. Interestingly, there is significant over-representation in associate/assistant pastor
roles by African-Americans (17.5% representation compared with 7.8% overall representation) and Hispanics/Latinos (2.5% representation compared
with 1.1% overall representation).
LOCAL CHURCH PASTOR POSITIONS OF UCC ORDAINED MINISTERS BY RACE/ETHNICITY
RACE/ETHNICITY SOLO/SENIOR PASTOR* CO-PASTOR ASSOCIATE/ASSISTANT PASTOR INTERIM/DESIGNATED-TERM/SUPPLY PASTOR
White/Euro-American 90.4 91.3 77.8 92.7
African-American 6.2 7.5 17.5 4.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 2.2 — 1.9 2.0
Hispanic/Latino 0.6 1.3 2.5 0.7
Native American 0.1 — — —
Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial/Other 0.5 — 0.3 0.3
Total* 100.0 100.1 100.0 100.0
* Totals do not equal 100 due to rounding.
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
24 |
AUTHORIZED MINISTERS BY GENDER
In total, approximately 50.0% of active, non-retired Authorized Ministers in the United Church of Christ identified as female, 49.8% identified as male,
and 0.2% identified as transgender/gender-variant. The percentage of active, non-retired female Ordained Ministers (51.0%) continues to exceed the per-
centage of active, non-retired male Ordained Ministers (48.8%). According to the 2003 UCC Statistical Handbook only 27% of all Ordained Ministers
were female. In general, there were more Licensed and Dual Standing ministers who identified as male; but there were nearly four times as many female
Commissioned Ministers when compared to males.
GENDER OF ACTIVE, NON-RETIRED UCC AUTHORIZED MINISTERS
AUTHORIZATION FEMALE MALE TRANSGENDER/GENDER-VARIANT TOTAL
Ordained 51.0 48.8 0.2 100.1
Licensed 43.1 56.9 — 100.0
Commissioned 78.8 20.4 0.9 100.1
Dual Standing 31.0 68.6 0.4 100.0
Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing 52.4 47.6 — 100.0
* Totals do not equal 100 due to rounding.
| 25
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
REFLECTIONSWhat do you make of the significant increase in the number of female interim and supply pastors over the last decade? Does this increase point toward the continuing challenges that females face with regard to equal access and opportunity for more settled pastoral positions? What other factors might be affecting these dynamics.
ORDAINED MINISTERS IN LOCAL CHURCHES BY GENDER
The percentage of active, non-retired female Ordained Ministers serving in local church pastoral positions has increased significantly over time, from
31.9% in 2005 to 45.8% in 2017. Four in ten (40.6%) senior/solo pastors identified as female in 2017, compared with 30.2% in 2005. Over half (57.8%) of
co-pastors, half (51.1%) of interim/designated-term/supply pastors, and over two-thirds (70.5%) of associate/assistant pastors identified as female.
LOCAL CHURCH PASTOR POSTIONS OF UCC ORDAINED MINISTERS BY GENDER—
FEMALE AND MALE ONLY (PERCENTAGE)
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
SENIOR/ SOLO
PASTOR
SENIOR/ SOLO
PASTOR
CO-PASTOR CO-PASTORASSOCIATE/ASSISTANT
PASTOR
ASSOCIATE/ASSISTANT
PASTOR
INTERIM/DESIGNATED-TERM/SUPPLY
PASTOR
INTERIM/DESIGNATED-TERM/SUPPLY
PASTORFEMALE FEMALEMALE MALE
* 2005 data used for comparison; 2006 data was not available
200
5*
2017
30.2 44.2 63.0 32.4
69.8
55.8
37.0
67.6
40.6 57.8 70.5 51.1
59.4
42.2
29.5
48.9
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
26 |
ORDINATIONS AND MEMBERS IN DISCERNMENT
The number of ordinations per year decreased over the past decade from
191 in 2008 to 127* in 2017. Throughout this time period, the 2012–2016
annual average of ordinations was 158 compared to the 2007–2011 annual
average of 183 ordinations. When reviewing trends over the past several
decades, however, ordination numbers fluctuated in similar ways; and it
is yet to be seen whether this recent decrease signals a continuing trend.
As of March 2018, there were 741 active Members in Discernment on re-
cord within the denominational database. Members in Discernment (or
MIDs) were concentrated within larger Conferences, as is to be expected,
with the Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut, and Ohio Conferences re-
porting 28.3% of the total number of MIDs.
In terms of gender, females comprised 54.7% of all MIDs (a greater per-
centage than that of current female Authorized Ministers). Members in
Discernment were also more racially/ethnically diverse than current Au-
thorized Ministers with 23.1% identifying as non-white (compared with
12.7% of all Authorized Ministers identifying as non-white).
UCC ORDINATIONS (2008–2017)
127*
221
191
162162
180
170164 162
151145
220
210
200
190
180
170
160
150
140
130
120
2016 20172007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
* Number of ordinations for 2017 and recent previous years is expected to increase in 2018 as additional records are updated by Conferences.
| 27
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
LOCAL CHURCH FINANCIAL TRENDS
Operating expenses for an average local congregation in 2017 was $176,546, a $8,013 (+4.8 %) average increase from 2016. Average total income for a lo-
cal church in 2017 was $249,919, a $23,953 (+10.6%) average increase from 2016. Both the average expenses and income for local congregations increased
from average amounts reported over the past decade—from $152,194 in expenses (a 16.0% increase) and $209,863 in income (an 19.1% increase) in 2007.
In 2007, Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) giving represented 5.0% of total local church expenditures. This percentage decreased to 3.5% of total
local church expenditures in 2017.
Overall, expenditures for congregations of the United Church of Christ increased from $923,757,089 to $963,940,389 in a period of four years (December
31, 2013 to December 31, 2017)—a 4.3% increase. This figure fluctuates annually, with some years experiencing increases in overall expenditures.
TOTAL LOCAL CHURCH EXPENDITURES (2013–2017)
EXPENDITURE 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Current Local Expenses $850,592,022 $819,948,400 $824,425,695 $822,342,667 $818,905,166
Total Mission Support $58,151,694 $60,992,331 $62,556,317 $63,466,950 $63,327,328
Capital Expenses $55,196,673 $39,072,196 $41,686,411 $64,729,352 $41,524,595
TOTAL $963,940,389 $920,012,927 $928,668,423 $950,538,969 $923,757,089
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
28 |
UCC STEWARDSHIP AND MISSION SUPPORT
LOCAL CHURCH SPECIAL MISSION OFFERINGS
$2
,79
0,4
04
$2
,10
8,3
31
$1,
478
,12
9
$1,
170
,18
9
$1,
40
3,2
93
$1,
35
0,7
14
$4
77,
012
$6
26
,38
5
ONE GREAT HOUR
OF SHARING
NEIGHBORS INNEED
CHRISTMAS FUND
STRENGTHENTHE CHURCH
20172007
Totals for wider church stewardship and giving by local congregations
of the United Church of Christ decreased over the past several years.
Over the past decade, the number of churches that have not given to
any Special Mission Offering has increased.
In previous years, local church participation rates in each of the Spe-
cial Offerings have been on the increase over the previous decade.
However, in 2017 this trend began to reverse. Strengthen the Church
is the only offering that saw an increase in local church participa-
tion in the previous decade (from 30.6% in 2007 to 42.2% in 2017).
Strengthen the Church is also the only offering that has increased in
total giving in the previous decade (+31.3%). One Great Hour of Shar-
ing and Neighbors in Need have decreased in total giving by 24.4%
and 20.8%, respectively. Giving to Christmas Fund has only decreased
slightly (-3.7%).
Total mission support for 2017 decreased from the previous year by
$2,840,637 (-4.7%). However, Other Gifts—money given beyond the
| 29
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
REFLECTIONSDoes your congregation participate in the UCC’s special offerings or provide other support through your conference or the national setting? Were there any special appeals that your congregation supported this past year? What do you notice in these overall mission support trends that is similar or different from your own congregation’s trends?
UCC CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS TO
SPECIAL OFFERINGS (PERCENTAGE)
TOTAL MISSION SUPPORT
$21,456,779
$24,377,491
$18,515,763
$13,076,094
$15,514,206
$15,419,267
$5,505,583
$5,278,842
$22,782,447 $17,784,650 $16,157,260 $5,831,960
$22,448,859 $18,540,500 $16,227,927 $6,250,664
$24,923,394 $15,153,467 $16,790,247 $6,460,220
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
OTHER GIFTS
NONE
OTHER UCC GIVING*
$1–$1,000
CONFERENCE BASIC SUPPORT
OVER $1,000
NATIONAL BASIC SUPPORT
* Other UCC Giving is a 2017 data collection name and process change formerly known as Special Sup-port. Prior to 2017 this data was primarily reported by conferences on behalf of their churches with the churches reporting only UCC Special Support (giving that was given directly to UCC agencies and organization). In 2017 this was shifted and churches reported the bulk of this giving with the conferences reporting only the four Special Mission Offerings.
Detailed basic and special support statistics can be found in the 2018 UCC Yearbook & Directory, p. 4.
UCC—has increased by $2,920,712 (+13.6%). Total Basic Support, that is Conference Basic Support plus National Basic Support, has experienced a slight
decrease from the previous year ($321,680 or -1.5%). While the data indicates that Other UCC Giving has decreased dramatically (-29.4%) it is important
to note that in 2017 the manner in which this data was collected changed.*20
07
2017
26.333.0
40.7
38.1
31.3 30.6
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
30 |
REFLECTIONSWith increased demands on local churches to maintain buildings and provide salaries for pastors and other staff, how does your congregation balance internal expenses versus mission giving to the wider church and other organizations? How do your vision and/or mission inform the decisions your church makes around its budget?
THE CHURCH DOLLAR
In the last two decades, the distribution of the church dollar has experienced some noticeable shifts. Current local expenses have increased by $.07 while
all others have decreased or remained steady. All types of UCC Giving (Conference Basic, National Basic and Other UCC Giving) have decreased.
CHANGING DISTRIBUTION OF THE CHURCH DOLLAR
* Other UCC Giving is a 2017 data collection name and process change formerly known as Special Support** Less than $.01All bars do not total to $1.00 due to rounding.
0 $0.10 $0.20 $0.30 $0.40 $0.50 $0.60 $0.70 $0.80 $0.90 $1.00
2017
200
719
97
$.03
$.03
$.03
$.01
$.02
$.02
$.02
$.02
$.03
$.00**
$.00**
$.02
CURRENT LOCAL EXPENSES CAPITAL EXPENSES OTHER GIFTSOTHER UCC GIVING* CONFERENCE BASIC NATIONAL BASIC
$.88
$.86
$.81
$.06
$.06
$.09
| 31
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
SPECIAL REPORT: UCC ADVOCACY THROUGH THE JUSTICE AND PEACE ACTION NETWORKContributed by Jessie Palatucci, Online Communication Specialist, United Church of Christ Washington Office
Supported by timely updates and online action opportunities through our Justice and Peace Action Network (JPANet), the United Church of
Christ advocates engaged in advocacy with their elected officials using our digital advocacy tools more than 76,837 times in 2017. Our collective
rate of engagement continues to grow. In the first six months of 2018 members of the JPANet generated 40,973 messages to decision makers.
This rise in denominational digital advocacy is unprecedented. The 2017 action rate is a remarkable increase over the recent past, and represents
more than twice the number of actions we collectively generated in all of 2016 (28,599 contacts).
Along with our action rate, the UCC’s network of advocates continues to grow at a sustained rate. Since May 2016, we have seen a steady and
consistent growth of our advocate base across time, an average that comes out to approximately 256 new advocates per month for the last 1.5 years.
What does this look like in practice? Our Twenty-seventh General Synod called for affordable, accessible and equitable health care for all people as
a matter of faith. On health care alone, a major focus of our 2017 legislative advocacy work, 2,600 advocates generated 9,653 messages to Congress
through emails, calls, Facebook posts and Tweets. This advocacy, combined with the prayers and efforts of many others, contributed to preventing
dangerous attacks on our health care system that would have left millions without access to care and devastated the Medicaid program.
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
32 |
2016 2017
4,351TOTAL ADVOCATES WHO CONTACTED OFFICIALS
6,186TOTAL ADVOCATES WHO CONTACTED OFFICIALS
28,599TOTAL LEGISLATOR CONNECTIONS
76,837TOTAL LEGISLATOR CONNECTIONS
28,083EMAILS
74,924EMAILS
9PHONE CALLS
331PHONE CALLS
440TWEETS
1,242TWEETS
609TWITTER SHARES
1,021TWITTER SHARES
67FACEBOOK POSTS
340FACEBOOK POSTS
1,093FACEBOOK SHARES
1,648FACEBOOK SHARES
Similarly, following the declaration of the UCC as an immigrant welcoming
denomination at the Thirty-first General Synod, UCC advocates have
engaged in sustained advocacy in solidarity with immigrants and refugees.
This has been especially important during a season in which we have seen
sustained attacks on these communities. In the first half of 2018, 3,196
members of the JPANet generated 17,918 messages to legislators on a
number of issues including:
Support of young immigrants seeking a pathway to citizenship
through the Dream Act;
Opposition to devastating proposed changes to legal immigration;
Calls to the practice of family separation and unite families;
Support for increase refugee resettlement and more.
This advocacy, combined with prayers, public witness and a growing
sanctuary movement within the United Church of Christ have served to
prevent some of the most harmful policy attacks on immigrants, refugees
and asylum seekers. They are also an important part of our ongoing
commitment to welcome the stranger and live out our love of neighbor and
of children.
UCC ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT
BY THE NUMBERS
TO LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE JUSTICE AND PEACE ACTION NETWORK, SIGN UP HERE: WWW.UCC.ORG/JOIN_THE_NETWORK
| 33
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
SPECIAL REPORT: BECOMING A GREEN DENOMINATION: UCC CLIMATE SURVEY RESULTSContributed by Rev. Brooks Berndt, UCC Minister for Environmental Justice
A climate survey of 843 respondents from the UCC revealed that our clergy and laity possess a strikingly “green” outlook in comparison to
national averages. For instance, 97% of UCC respondents were personally concerned with climate change with 88% being very concerned. This
compares with a general population in which 76% were concerned and 44% were very concerned. In other words, those surveyed were two times
more likely to be very concerned about climate change than the general population of the United States. Other highlights from the survey include:
63% of UCC respondents attributed climate change to human activities, more than double the national average of 27%. Only 1% of UCC
respondents attributed climate change to natural causes, while 35% attributed it to a combination of human and natural causes.
UCC respondents strongly favored a broad range of climate solution proposals at rates significantly higher than national averages. Notably,
98% of UCC respondents favored charging corporate polluters a fee for the pollution they created, while 98% also supported passing laws
for more efficient buildings and cars.
At much higher rates than national averages, most UCC respondents believed action on climate is urgently needed. While 98% of UCC
respondents believed collective action was needed with 94% strongly agreeing, 77% of the broader nation believed collective action was
needed and with 58% strongly agreeing.
While the survey results indicate a remarkable level of awareness and commitment in the UCC, there are also indications of room for
growth. For instance, 31% wish their church would do more to conserve energy. Moreover, only 48% say their church is talking to staff and
members about climate change, while only 34% are talking to the public about climate change.
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
34 |
This room for growth indicates the importance of congregations seizing
opportunities to participate in a host of programs that collectively move
members from individual awareness to public dialogue and collective
action. Churches can start a book group to read Jim Antal’s Climate Church,
Climate World. They can strive to become a Creation Justice Church.
Further ideas for engagement can be found through the UCC’s Creation
Justice Webinar series as well as The Pollinator, the UCC’s environmental
justice newsletter.
TO SIGN UP FOR THE POLLINATOR NEWSLETTER VISIT WWW.UCC.ORG/POLLINATOR_SIGN_UP.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A CREATION JUSTICE CHURCH GO TO: WWW.UCC.ORG/HOW_IT_WORKS_BECOMING_A_CREATION_JUSTICE_CHURCH
UCC CLIMATE SURVEY RESPONSES
(PERCENTAGE)
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I WISH MY PLACE OF WORSHIP WAS…
MY PLACE OF WORSHIP IS…
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70.0
51.0
1.0
31.0
36.0 35.0 34.0
28.0
48.0
30.0
23.0
19.0
28.0
15.0
9.0
27.0
| 35
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE | FALL 2018
PARABLES: All Abilities Inclusion Worship of Chelsea First Congregational in Chelsea, MI, is using the grant awarded to support a ministry centering people with disabilities.(Source: Innovation and Inspiration: What’s New in the UCC? Report)
SPECIAL REPORT: NEW AND RENEWING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES GRANTContributed by Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, UCC Program Manager for Congregational Assessment, Support and Advancement (CASA)
In the fall of 2017, the Congregational Assessment, Support, and Advancement team coded and categorized
all the applications from churches and communities seeking funding to do something new in the evolution of
spiritual communities (via the New and Renewing Spiritual Communities Grant.) From existing congregations
seeking to evolve towards their mission to brand new communities gathering and engaging their spiritual
understanding of the Gospel, the 78 applications reflected several key themes, as follows:
65% of the applications articulated an explicit commitment to being a welcoming place towards the
LGBTQ community, regardless of the location (urban or suburban), or the racial ethnic makeup of the
congregations.
Over 50% of applications expressed a desire to make home again, and/or find a space of healing towards
those who have been wounded by institutional Christianity in some form in the past. As one application
wrote towards these two themes: “Our ongoing work is to uplift the most marginalized in our community
and call for continued work towards justice and equality.”
In addition, we learned:
40% of applications were from self-identified communities of color, 13.3% reflecting multi-racial
multicultural communities.
25% of applicants listed an endowment >$200,000 associated with their project. Of these applicants, half
or 50% articulated actively investing in their own vision.
35% of the applications were from areas that are rural or suburban; 65% from urban settings.
FALL 2018 | UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATISTICAL PROFILE
36 |
REFLECTIONSHow do these themes reflect the work and mission of your congregation? What else would you add?
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT UCC’S NEW AND RENEWING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES GRANT, OR TO APPLY, PLEASE SEE WWW.UCC.ORG/GROW-YOUR-CHURCH.
The themes that arose are not reflective of every congregation doing
something new in the United Church of Christ, and, the implication of
what communities seeking support for their innovation have in common
is a story that every congregation can learn from.
In the fall of 2018, new applications were added to the data set we have, and
we can continue to recognize themes across communities and congregations
seeking to do something new in the United Church of Christ.
NEW AND RENEWING SPIRITUAL
COMMUNITIES APPLICANT THEMES
(PERCENTAGE)
THEMES ACROSS APPLICATION% OF MINISTRIES REFLECTING
THIS THEME
Specific articulation of Queer Support 65.0
Religious healing/making new religious home 51.7
NOT focused on Sunday morning 23.3
Interfaith aspects 20.0
Missional organization connected to a church 20.0
Food justice 18.3
Digital and/or online ministries 16.7
Specific focus on youth/children 11.7
Focus on homelessness and/or ending poverty 10.0
Bilingual 8.3
Focus on small groups 6.7
Storytelling 6.7
Explicit activism and community organizing 5.0
Specific focus on Native/Indigenous support 5.0
Bar-based ministry 5.0
Revitalizing Sunday worship 5.0
APPENDIX:SUMMARY OF UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST ORDAINED MINISTERS BY CLASSIFICATION (2008–2017)
* Pastors includes Senior Pastors** Other Pastors includes Associate / Assistant Pastors, Youth Ministers, Directors of Christian Education / Faith Formation, Ministers of Music, and Other Local Church Positions*** Other Professions includes health and welfare workers in UCC insitutions and pastoral counselors**** Unclassified and Leave of Absence
CLASSIFICATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Pastors 3,258 3,264 3,167 3,064 3,049 3,017 2,975 2,903 2,799 2,711
Other Pastors(AP, CE, MM, OL, Y)
459 427 405 416 445 453 468 448 425 426
Pastor Emeriti 219 191 182 153 194 128 199 199 196 187
Retired 3,424 3,496 3,586 3,650 3,602 3,673 3,669 3,751 3833 3,899
Denominational Work 162 158 188 147 148 137 138 140 133 136
Ecumenical Work 42 42 46 43 40 40 37 35 35 37
Missionaries/Chaplains/Campus Ministers
641 670 684 714 714 720 755 798 776 791
Educational Work 176 169 157 148 148 150 145 138 131 136
Other Religious Work 74 75 80 76 71 79 78 78 81 79
Other Professions*** 315 292 278 285 265 250 238 223 214 216
Serving Churches of Another Denomination
202 193 192 188 199 198 192 189 203 188
All Others**** 1,229 1,214 1,209 1,212 1,183 1,170 1,119 1,070 1,071 1,070
MINISTERS IN FULL STANDING 10,201 10,191 10,174 10,096 10,058 10,015 10,013 9,972 9,897 9,876
700 PROSPECT AVENUECLEVELAND, OH 44115UCC.ORG