A STATISTICAL PROFILE - UCC Files · a statistical profile with reflection/discussion questions for church leaders research from the ucc center for analytics, research and data (card)

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

| 5

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.


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

| 7


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


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










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

| 9


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


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

| 11


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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+


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


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



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


| 25


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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


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.


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

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36.0 35.0 34.0

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| 35


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.


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

Documents

A STATISTICAL PROFILE - UCC Files · a statistical profile with reflection/discussion questions for church leaders research from the ucc center for analytics, research and data (card)