GCFA Releases Worldwide Statistics, US Trend Analysis
New dashboard shows updated statistics from Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and United States Regional Conferences. A new report adds analysis of U.S. local church data. Growth measurers include increases in volunteers on mission teams, small groups, and professions of faith through confirmations.
October 15, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) today released updated 2025 statistics for The United Methodist Church. Three significant updates come with the release of 2025 statistics: GCFA has released updated United States local church statistics; GCFA has published statistics for regional conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, instead of as a single aggregate number; and for the first time, GCFA is releasing analysis alongside the U.S. figures.
Updated statistics from United States local churches are available at umdata.org and the U.S. statistical dashboard at umanalytics.gcfa.org. A new U.S. local church analysis, UMC Statistical Insights, draws on the annual reports submitted by local churches. It looks at worship and discipleship, ministry beyond the church doors, and stewardship, with analysis by jurisdiction and by conference. Bright spots from the report include 34.5 million community ministry interactions, an increase in small groups and professions of faith through confirmation, and a rise in budget income.
“Our local churches are doing remarkable ministry, and the new UMC Statistical Insights analysis report helps us see it. We hope this analysis will encourage congregations and conferences as they look at what God is doing through their ministries,” said Caitlin Congdon, GCFA General Secretary. “Every number in this report represents United Methodists worshiping, serving, and giving faithfully in their communities. UMC Statistical Insights lifts up those bright spots so the whole connection can celebrate them and learn from one another.”
For Africa, Europe, and the Philippines Regional Conferences, interactive dashboards, found at umanalytics.gcfa.org, share statistics for these regions for the first time, showing what information GCFA has collected since 2017. The Book of Discipline ¶ 802.15 has required GCFA to take official statistics from annual conference journals since 2016. It is important to note that 2025 statistics, along with other outstanding journals, are still being collected/and or processed for many of these conferences. Because the data set is not yet complete, GCFA is not publishing trends or analysis for these regions, as it has for the U.S.
“This is the first time we have shared these statistics by region and by annual conference, and it is a significant first step,” said Caitlin Congdon. “We are grateful to the annual conferences for being partners in this work, and we look forward to continuing to work together to gather a more complete data set.”
Media Contact:
Brandy M. Bivens
Chief Advancement Officer
General Council on Finance and Administration
615-403-3514
About GCFA
The General Council on Finance and Administration is an agency of The United Methodist Church. It serves through financial and administrative ministries that help the church carry out its mission. Under The Book of Discipline, GCFA maintains the denomination’s official data on local churches, charges, and new church starts. Learn more at www.gcfa.org.
