From the Pastor’s Desk – March 2015
Dear Friends,
At the start of every calendar year, every United Methodist Church is required—required! – to fill out Statistical Tables 1, 2, and 3—a compilation of the important numbers of our church’s previous year. Despite the hassles, it can be a good thing—and an informative one. To wit—Table #1:
General Membership Statistics
(with percentage differences noted by the conference)
| Total Members beginning 2014 | 423 | ||
| Received on Profession of Faith | 0 | ||
| United Methodist Transferred In | 2 | ||
| Non-Methodists Transferred In | 1 | ||
| Removed by Charge Conference | 0 | ||
| Withdrawn | 0 | ||
| Transferred Out | 4 | ||
| Removed from Rolls by Death | 9 | 28% | Increase |
| Total Members ending 2014 |
413 | 2% | Decrease |
| Female Members |
205 | ||
| Male Members | 208 | ||
| Average Attendance at Worship | 120 | 7% | Decrease |
Christian Formation (Sunday School, Bible Study, and other Small Group Ministries)
| Children in All Groups | 17 | 13% | Increase |
| Youth in All Groups | 27 | 170% | Increase |
| Young Adults in All Groups | 19 | 171% | Increase |
| Other Adults in All Groups | 93 | 15% | Decrease |
| Total Number of persons in All Groups | 156 | 9% | Increase |
| Average Attendance in Sunday School | 70 | 9% | Decrease |
| Number of Participants in VBS | 35 | No Change | |
| Membership Methodist Men | 40 | ||
| Amount Paid for Projects $19,262.00 | |||
| Membership Methodist Women | 50 | ||
| Amount Paid for Local Projects $700.00 | |||
| Number of Persons Engaged in Mission | 114 | 48% | Increase |
| Number of Persons Served by the community Ministries for Outreach, Justice and Mercy. | 178 | 12% | Increase |
We sometimes say that we are a ‘shrinking’ congregation. But that is not the only sign of health or ill-health in a church. Notice the number of increases in a number of these categories—especially missions and outreach. Those indicate a very healthy congregation. Of course, numbers don’t tell everything; such as how prayer-inspired and spirit-energized our outreach and mission really is. But the numbers certainly reflect it! I’d say we had a very good year. To say nothing of our financials on Statistical Tables 2 & 3.
Cordially,
Bruce
