Characteristics of U.S. Congregations, by faith group - part 1

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churches
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Facilities:            
Primary worship service held in a church, synagogue, or temple
98%
92%
94%
100%
14%
91%
Congregation or denomination owns building
100%
94%
93%
100%
100%
94%
Facilities used/rented by community groups at least weekly
42%
62%
18%
0%
87%
39%
 

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churches
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Affiliation:            
Affiliated with denomination, convention, or
association of congregations
100%
96%
78%
100%
100%
89%
 

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Provide religious education classes:            
For children (under age 12)
98%
91%
90%
100%
100%
92%
For youth (ages 12-18)
93%
79%
87%
100%
100%
85%
For adults
83%
84%
93%
100%
100%
89%
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Technology:            
Use internet or email to communicate with worshipers
30%
63%
36%
33%
13%
45%
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Political orientation of congregation:            
On conservative side
57%
40%
86%
38%
87%
64%
In the middle
31%
41%
13%
50%
7%
26%
On liberal side
11%
19%
1%
12%
7%
10%
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Theological orientation of congregation:            
On conservative side
32%
31%
88%
86%
87%
59%
In the middle
56%
46%
11%
14%
7%
29%
On liberal side
12%
24%
1%
0%
7%
11%
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Financial situation:            
Increasing financial base
19%
34%
29%
38%
0%
29%
Stable financial base
57%
38%
60%
62%
100%
53%
Declining financial base or seriously threatened
24%
28%
11%
0%
0%
19%
                         
 
                         

Characteristics of U.S. Congregations, by faith group - part 2
All figures are means.

Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
             
Age:            
Year congregation was founded
1926
1890
1935
1902
1978
1917
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Size:            
Approximate seating capacity where worship is held
457
237
230
416
221
258
Average weekly worship attendance, 2000
715
127
120
225
53
186
Total number of people (children and adults) participating
836
213
141
257
156
244
Total number of children participating
226
62
49
80
86
73
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Religious education classes:            
Number of children (<12) participating
119
26
22
21
39
35
Number of youth (12-18) participating
56
13
14
18
20
19
Number of adults participating
17
28
46
43
33
35
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Worship services:            
Number of worship services offered each week
8.5
1.9
3.0
1.8
1.3
3.1
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Strictness:            
Number of prohibitions reported (Note 1.)
1.5
1.1
3.2
2.9
5.6
2.3
             

           
Catholic
Churches
Mainline
Protestant Churches
Conservative
Protestant
Churches
Historically Black
Churche
s
Other
Congregations
All
Congregations
Congregational programs:            
Number of outreach activities reported (Note 2.)
4.2
6.6
5.8
7.2
5.3
5.9
Number of community services reported (Note 3.)
7.4
5.4
2.9
6.9
4.8
4.5
                         

Note 1. Nine possible prohibitions: homosexuality; cohabitation before marriage; gambling; alcohol; smoking; contributions; dancing; foods; dress, hairstyle, make-up (listed here in order from most often prohibited to least often prohibited).

Note 2. 14 possible outreach activities: encouraged people to invite others, letters sent to visitors, mailing flyers, newspaper/magazine ads, congregational website, telephone book ads, telephone visitors, neighborhood activity, visits with visitors, contact people new to the area, outreach event, radio/TV ads, recruitment committee, community survey (listed here in order from most common to least common overall).

Note 3. 23 possible community services: emergency relief, counseling/support groups, other social/recreational activities, health programs, other youth programs, arts/music, child care programs, other senior programs (not housing), sports, prison ministry, hobbies and crafts, other welfare/service activities, abuse/recovery programs, voter registration or education, housing for others (not seniors), social justice work, community organizing, elementary school, care for people with disabilities, immigrant support services, housing for seniors, help for unemployed, animal welfare or environmental activities (listed here in order from most common to least common overall).