Philocrites

148 million Americans in 25 largest denominations.

by Philocrites

The National Council of Churches' annual report on the membership of 219 denominations is now available. In 2004-2005, the press release says, the fastest growing denominations were the Assemblies of God, up 1.81 percent, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, up 1.74 percent, and the Roman Catholic Church, up 0.83 percent. (The figure for the Orthodox Church in America shows membership up a whopping 6.4 percent, which seems almost certainly erroneous.) Of the 25 largest denominations, the sharpest membership drop in 2004-2005 occurred in the United Church of Christ, which is currently gambling big on a comprehensive publicity campaign; UCC membership is down 2.38 percent.

This year, I'm especially struck by the number of Americans affiliated with the 25 largest denominations: 148,009,649.

Copyright © 2006 by Philocrites | Posted 1 April 2006 at 2:41 PM

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