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Contact:
Cynthia Dopke
The Connectional Table
Tele: 773-777-7133
Cell: 773-301-0857
cdopke@umc.org
www.umc.org/connectionaltable
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2011
The 2011 State of The Church report now available
(Dallas, Texas) --Statistics in the newly released 2011 State of the Church Report show the United Methodist Church has much to celebrate -- in the Central Conferences outside of the United States professing members grew to 4.4 million. In the United States, congregations reported nearly 280,000 persons enrolled in discipleship groups, more than one million children participated in vacation Bible schools, and more than 15 million persons were served by community ministries.
The State of the Church Report is an annual look at where The United Methodist Church stands statistically in membership, giving and church growth. The report is now available at www.umc.org/sotc.
This year's report also details the "Adaptive Challenge for The United Methodist Church" which is a denominational strategy to redirect the flow of attention, energy and resources to concentrate on increasing the number of vital congregations around the world. This effort is in direct response to the four-decade decline in membership in the United States and Europe which is experiencing an aging and predominantly Anglo constituency and declines in worship attendance, professions of faith and baptisms.
"This is an important and exciting time in the life of the church," said Bishop John Hopkins of the Ohio East Episcopal Area and chairperson of the Connectional Table. "The United Methodist Church is clear about our current situation and now has a road map to help strengthen the church and to fulfill our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
The 2011 State of the Church report is available online and through the July/August edition of the Interpreter magazine published by United Methodist Communications. The report will also be made available in English, French and Portuguese.
The State of The Church report was first commissioned by the Connectional Table, the leadership entity that coordinates mission, ministries and resources for the denomination. The 2007 report was the first time the church produced a comprehensive overview of the life of the church. It has been used to stimulate dialogue across the denomination on how to carry out the mission of making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The 2011 State of The Church report is a collaborative effort with data provided by the General Council on Finance and Administration and production support from United Methodist Communications. Download a copy of the full report at http://www.umc.org/2011sotcreport. To obtain additional copies of the report, contact United Methodist Communications Customer Service Center at csc@umcom.org or 1-888-346-3862.
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