The Baltimore Presbytery membership statistics for 2019 are in thanks to our Clerks of Session and pastors. Their work on this, and so much else through the year, is greatly appreciated! The information reported gives all of us a good picture of where we are as a presbytery. And helps the denomination discern trends and plan better how to support congregations. Below are some of the significant findings from the 2019 reports. As usual, much of what congregations are eager to know is what the membership statistics reveal about us collectively. So, I have included a large amount of detail about that. But this report includes other information of interest as well.

The total beginning membership in 2019 was 13,290.
Total Membership Gains:  547
Total Membership Losses: 1216
Net Membership Loss: 669

Total Presbytery Membership at the end of 2019: 12,621

• The net loss in 2019 (669) is more than three times the net loss in 2018 (201). 
• Those transferring out (122) equaled the number transferring in (122)
• Deaths accounted for 229 of the total loses, 32 more than in 2018 but close to the average over the past 10 year (223/year)
• Other deletions from the rolls (911) probably represent some significant roll cleaning.
• 19 of our congregations had net gains in membership while 46 had net losses
• Total loss (opposed to net loss) in 2019 was 1,262 which is slightly higher than the 10 year average of 1,054/year
• The membership gains in 2019 (546) were down slightly from 2018 (577) but youth professions of faith were up slightly, 131 in 2019 over 119 in 2018.

The total net loss in Baltimore Presbytery over the last 10 years is 3,550. There was no year that recorded a presbytery net gain in membership. Given the national demographics and projections this trend is unlikely to reverse, at least in the near future.

Other Information

• 32 congregations (almost half of total number) have 100 or fewer members. Across the denomination 61% of congregations have a membership of less than 100.
• 11 congregations have a membership between 100-150.
• 17 have membership between 150-500
• 5 congregations have membership over 500
• The smallest church (Franklinville) has 9 members. The largest (Woods Memorial) has 1,994.

A Cause for Celebration

Collectively the Churches in Baltimore Presbytery Contributed $2,021,909 to Mission

• Fifty-seven of 65 congregations reported data on their racial ethic composition. Of those, 9,378 identified as white, 1,224 as Black/African American, 55 as multi-racial, 55 as Latino, 241 as Asian+ and 11 each Middle Eastern/North African and Native American. All of the historically Black churches are still 98+% Black/African American. There are 8 churches that are predominantly white but with greater than 10% of their members identifying as other ethnicities: Dickey Memorial, Faith, Hunting Ridge, First of Howard Co, Mt Hebron, Good Shepherd, Ark and Dove and Babcock. Of those, three could be classified as truly multi-cultural with more than 10% non-dominant group: Faith, Hunting Ridge, Babcock and Kenwood.
• All but 7 of our 65 churches reported facilities costs. Because the larger churches can skew the results I averaged the amount reported for the churches of 150 or fewer members. The average amount spent on facilities among these churches is $39,554.

I hope that this information proves helpful or at least interesting as our pastors continue to plan for ministry in an increasingly challenging environment. As always, if you have specific questions that are not addressed in this summary report please be in touch.

In gratitude for your work,

— Mary Gaut, Deputy Stated Clerk