The Presbyterian Church has experienced a notably sharp decline in its membership and congregational numbers. Between the years 2000 and 2015, the Presbyterian Church saw a loss of over 40% of its congregation, indicating a significant decrease in active members. During the same period, the number of its churches also declined by 15.4%.
This decline is part of a broader trend affecting various Christian denominations in the Western world, though the Presbyterian Church's proportional loss in congregation stands out based on available data.
Trends in Membership and Baptism Declines
Beyond the Presbyterian Church, other denominations are also facing significant reductions in key indicators like baptisms, which often precede or reflect overall membership trends.
Here's a comparison of recent declines:
| Denomination/Category | Type of Decline | Percentage of Decline | Period/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presbyterian Church | Congregation | Over 40% | 2000-2015, noted as the "sharpest decline" |
| Presbyterian Church | Churches | 15.4% | 2000-2015 |
| Catholic | Infant Baptisms | Nearly 34% | Nationwide |
| ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) | Infant Baptisms | Over 40% | Nationwide |
While the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) also shows over a 40% decline in infant baptisms, the direct statement regarding "sharpest decline" in congregation specifically points to the Presbyterian Church as the denomination losing the most members proportionally within the given timeframe. The decline in infant baptisms for both Catholic and ELCA churches suggests future challenges for maintaining membership numbers.
