LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) headquarters announced Monday that a 35-year downward slide in membership continued in 2001, but the net loss of 31,549 was less than in previous years.
While total active membership slipped to 2,493,781, enrollment in Christian education programs rose by 17,000 during the year, to 1,101,478.
The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the denomination, noted that 150,000 new members joined the church last year.