Membership in The Episcopal Church declined by 50,804 and average Sunday attendance decreased by 21,945 during 2006, the fourth straight year in which both membership and attendance have decreased, according to figures compiled by the congregational development department at the Episcopal Church Center.

Membership declined by 2 percent in 2006, the same percentage as the previous year, whereas the decline in average attendance increased from 2 percent in 2005 to 3 percent in 2006. Roughly half of the decline in average attendance was attributed to three dioceses: Dallas, Florida and Virginia. All three recorded departures and/or splits at some of the largest Episcopal churches in the U.S.

Kirk Hadaway, director of research and development in the Congregational Development office, attributed the decline to a variety of factors, including fallout from the 2003 General Convention. Mr. Hadaway said demographics and cultural changes are also factors.

Fewer Americans in general are actively involved in a church, he added. The decline among youth involved in church is particularly sharp. Episcopalians tend to be disproportionately older than the general population, Mr. Hadaway said. “That means a higher death rate and a lower birth rate. We are not replacing those members who are dying,” he said. During the past five years, membership has declined 7 percent. The five-year decline in average Sunday attendance is 11 percent.

Year-to-year losses were recorded in virtually every attendance and membership category, including the number of churches experiencing growth in attendance and membership. The one bright spot is plate and pledge income, which at 2.5 percent was the same as the previous year after taking into account the rate of inflation.

Further losses are possible in the next few years as more dioceses update membership and attendance figures for congregations involved in litigation. The Diocese of Los Angeles is one of several that continue to publish membership and attendance figures for congregations in which the majority of members previously voted to affiliate with another Anglican province.

Steve Waring

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