Geographic shifts

I received my copy of the 2006 Yearbook of the Church of Godtoday.

 

As usual I made sure that my name and congregation were listed (and correctly). Once my fears were relieved I spent a few minutes glancing at various sections, looking up old friends, etc.

 

One of the most interesting observations I made was on the North American Summary (pp. 368f). For the first time ever, California has surpassed Indiana in "AM Attendance" for the number two spot (Ohio still has a commanding lead), although Indiana still has 19 more congregations than California. 

 

While I don't want to get hung up on church statistics, something significant is happening here. While the midwest is still the geographic hub of our movement in North America (36% of AM attendance is centered in the five states of OH, IN, MI, KY, and IL), there is a trend of growth in states on the fringes. For example, above average growth is occuring in California, Washington, and Florida, whereas the five "hub" states showed virtually no cumulative growth, with three of the five actually declining from the previous year's statistics. There are other apparent differences too. California, for instance, has roughly half the total Sunday evening and Sunday School attendances of Indiana, but over twice the number listed as "Saved". What is most interesting is that the west coast in particular is known as highly secularized and less religious.

 

One shouldn't draw too many conclusions from these statistics, as these numbers only provide a snapshot (and not a comprehensive one) of what is really happening. But, they certainly illustrate some interesting trends and provide material for further reflection.