Delegate profiles

According to a recent denominational report entitled "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the U.S. Delegates at the 2004 General Conference," 72 percent of those who went to Pittsburgh are lifelong United Methodists, 61 percent serve or attend churches with 500 or more members, and 56 percent are 55 years old or over.

Among the more interesting statistics include:

. While Central Conference delegates accounted for 6.8 percent of the General Conference delegates in 1984, they accounted for 19 percent of those in Pittsburgh.

. 35 percent reported that this was their first General Conference as an elected delegate.

. 43 percent of the respondents were female.

. 43 percent ranked sermons as the most valued aspect of their congregation.

. 35 percent live in households where the total household income is $100,000 or more.

. Nine out of ten U.S. delegates report spending a few times each week in private devotional activities and 78 percent report their spiritual needs are being met in their congregation.  However, only 24 percent report they are growing in faith through the activities of their congregation.

. 67 percent of the respondents reported that they considered themselves a very or extremely spiritual person, and another 78 percent report they feel very close or extremely close to God.

. 36 percent report Bible study and prayer groups and 10 percent report the prayer ministry of the congregation as one of the three most valued aspects of their parish.

. Within the last eight years, the North Central jurisdiction is down 26 delegates; Northeastern is down 24 delegates; South Central is up 4 delegates; Southeastern is up 14 delegates, and the Western is down 18 delegates. The Central Conferences have gained 50 delegates.

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