The total number of clergy between 2004 and 2008 has decrease by 1.02%. The percentage of White clergy has decreased by 1% (from 90% to 89%). Since 2004, the General Council of Finance and Administration has added a new category (Multiracial). ethnic categories percentages have not changed much since 2004.
According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau, 65% of the population is White, 15% is Hispanic, 13% is Black, 4% is Asian, 2% is Multi-Racial, 1% is Native American and .2% is Pacific Islanders. If the United Methodist Church in the United States wants to grow, the church leadership and membership needs to change with the changes in the population.
** GCFA supplied the statistical information.
—Elaine Moy, assistant general secretary of finance and administration for GCSRW.
Deacon in full connection
The percentage of Asians increased by 3%, Blacks decreased by 4%, Hispanics decreased by 1%, Native Americans decreased by .03%, Pacific Islanders increased by 3% and Whites increased by .76%. The total number of deacons increasec by 145.
Elder in full connection
The percentage of Asians increased by .44%, Blacks increased by .32%, Hispanics increased by .10%, Native Americans increased by .02%, Pacific Islanders increased by .05% and Whites decreased by 1%. The total number of elders decreased by 1015.
Classification of Probationary Deacon and Elder started in the 1996 General Conference. Probationary Elder is comparable to Probationary Member (only elder). The percentage of Asians increased by .37%, Blacks increased by .82 percent, Hispanics decreased by .48%, Native Americans decreased by .37%, Pacific Islanders decreased by .37%, Whites decreased by 3.74%. The total number decreased by 202.
Associate member
The percentage of Asians increased by .42%, Blacks increased by .57%, Hispanics incrased by .63%, Native Americans decreased by .35%, Pacific Islanders decreased by .07%, Whites decreased by 1.4%. Total number of associate members decreased by 195.
Full-time local pastors
The percentage of Asians increased by .02%, Blacks decreased by .08%, Hispanics increased by .26%, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders both decreased by .08%, Whites decreased by .37%. Total number of full-time local pastors decreased by 246.
Part-time local pastors
The percentage of Asians increased by .22%, Blacks increased by .22%, Hispanics increased by .76%, Native Americans decreased by.04%, Pacific Islanders decreased by .14%, Whites decreased by 1.21%. Total number of part-time local pastors increased by 344.
The total number of clergy has decreased by 862 from 2004-2008. The total number of Asians has increased by 137, Blacks have increased by 105, Hispanics have increased by 58, Native Americans have decreased by 12, Pacific Inslanders have decreased by 1, Whites have decreased by 1,283.
* Source of data = GCFA
** Detail of data, see Table 1 and Table 2 at: www.gcsrw.org