UMC Constituency Up

While professing membership continues to decline in the UMC, the number of constituents is steadily increasing, according to the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). Membership decreased by eight-tenths of a percent over a one-year period to just over 7.9 million [in 2006], while constituents -- individuals who are not members of the church, but for whom the church has a pastoral responsibility -- increased to over 1.5 million, a 16% increase from a decade ago. Scott Brewer, director of research for GCFA, said the church needs to pay more attention to this growing category.

The Rev. Lovett Weems of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC, said average worship attendance is a more accurate indicator of church vitality than constituency. "There certainly is a phenomenon today of persons who seem more reluctant to join." Weems added that today's churchgoers, especially young people, are less likely to make long-term commitments, and more likely to participate in short-term activities, such as Volunteers in Mission trips, the Walk to Emmaus spiritual retreat, and short-term Bible studies. -- Newscope, March 28, 2008.

Ideal Confirmation Age

The recent study by the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life suggests that a main reason that denominations like the UMC are declining is that they fail to hold onto their children as they reach adulthood. Because the UMC practices infant baptism, confirmation is extremely important. Through confirmation, children are instructed in the basics of Wesleyan theology and offered a chance to profess their faith publicly before the church. Confirmation typically happens around the sixth grade. But are 11- and 12-year-olds really ready for this process? Perhaps we should consider saving confirmation class for high school, when kids can better grasp the central Christian beliefs. -- The Rev. Andrew Thompson, United Methodist Reporter, March 21, 2008.