The forum for the presentation of the survey results brought about the question about the statistics of congregations in the ELCA and how they are reacting to the ChurchWide Decision of 2009.

Here is a quote from the Office of the Secretary of the ELCA, “As of June 3, we have been advised that 419 congregations have taken first votes to terminate their relationship with the ELCA (some congregations have taken more than one first vote).  Of these 419 congregations that have taken first votes, 283 passed and 136 failed.   Synods also have informed the Office of the Secretary that 161 congregations have taken a second vote, 140 of which passed and 21 failed.”

As of the end of 2008, and the reason it is 2008, because we report our statistics for 2009 in January of 2010.  So the figures might be compiled for 2009, however they have not been placed on the website, and so the figures I could find to report to you was the numbers from 2008.  So as of the end of 2008 there were 4,633,887 Baptized members in the ELCA, in 10,396 congregations, spread across the country in 65 synods.

So if we look at this percentage wise, 419 out of 10,396 have taken a first vote to leave.  This is .0403% of the congregations in the ELCA.  And so far .0134% have taken 2 votes to leave the ELCA, with yes as the majority.

Some other facts I found interesting:  As of June 30, 2009, there are 18,938 leaders on the ELCA roster including: 1,068 associates in ministry, 65 deaconesses, 153 diaconal ministers, 17,652 ordained clergy. In 2009, 19.9% of clergy on the ELCA roster are women, while 31.2% of the active roster are women.  In seminaries, the numbers of women and men preparing for ministry are about equal. Approximately 86% of ordained women and 83% of ordained men are actively serving in congregations. The pastor who has been in the same call the longest has served the same congregation for 52 years. The pastor is 82 years old. The ordained woman who has been in the same call the longest has served in that call for 37 years.

The ELCA offers opportunities for Lutheran education at every level. The ELCA considers education an important part of our calling, and we offer quality education at every level through our institutions: 8 seminaries and 2 seminary extension centers, 27 colleges and universities, 50 or more lifelong learning programs, 14 high schools, 296 elementary schools, 1,573 early childhood programs, 145 camp and retreat centers, serving 450,000 yearly.