Highlights of the 1940 Statistical Report

The questions arise in the minds of our workers, What has been the growth of the denomination in 1940? What have been the gains in membership and contributions ? The following table gives the membership by divisions for 1939 and 1940, with the net gains made in each division during the past year. This information just recently came by cable from the various division secretaries throughout the world. At the present time it is impossible to give further information regarding any other phases of our work for 1940, this being the only information con­tained in the cables received. In a short time the complete report will be made up on contri­butions and other phases of our work.

(See PDF for Stats)

 

Before taking up other particulars of the report, let us look back and see the growth that has been made during the last five decades. Such a study will be helpful, I am sure. Beginning in 1890 with 29,711 members, the total membership during the next ten years reached 66,547—a gain of 123.98 per cent during the decade. A table showing the growth by decades appears below (See PDF)

One cannot look at these figures without being impressed by their significance. The Lord is assuredly gathering a people and making them ready for His kingdom.

Statistics for the year 3940 are not yet available for the world field. The figures for 1939 are of considerable interest, however. Total funds contributed for evangelistic work for 1939 were $13,499,973.10. This amount is greater than was ever given during any one year up to that time, and constituted a per capita of $27.74 for every member throughout the world at the close of the year.

Laborers.—This work Was carried on in 3939 by 28,900 evangelistic and institutional laborers, using 820 languages and modes of speech, in a work which extended throughout 404 countries and islands. During the four years ending in 1939 one new language was added every six days. There were 135 con­ferences, 306 missions, 8,761 churches. The membership at that time stood at 486,670, which by the close of 1940 had been increased to 5⁰4/75².

Publishing Work.—Literature was printed in 199 languages in 1939, with the total value of one copy of each publication amounting to $2,570.15. There were 79 publishing houses and branches, with assets of $3,643,258.89. Book and periodical sales amounted to $4,532,- 743.77 ; 321 periodicals were issued. In addi­tion to the 1,324 employees in these institutions, 3,405 laborers were engaged in distributing denominational literature.

Sabbath Schools.—There were 14,010 Sabbath schools in 1939, with a membership of 611,123. Total contributions from this source amounted to $1,718,204.93.

Sanitariums.—There were 86 sanitariums in 1939 and 72 treatment rooms, having assets of $9,585,186.19. There were 1,216 physicians, 2,549 nurses, and 2,969 other employees, a grand total of 6,734 engaged in this line of work.

Schools.—There were 2,511 primary schools in 1939, with 3,491 teachers, an enrollment of 83,786, and a value of $1,749,655.89, with an­nual maintenance of $822,158.03. There were 252 advanced schools and 2,749 teachers, with 32,920 enrollment and a value of $9,925,837.07.

Institutions.—The total number of major institutions—educational, publishing, and sani­tariums—was 518. Altogether there were 7,822 units, including conferences, Bible houses, church buildings, primary schools, treatment rooms, etc. The grand total of denominational investment was $62,128,579.07. Of this, 57.76 per cent was in North America, and 42.24 per cent in fields outside this country.

It is possible to give figures for North Amer­ica for 3940. The membership of the 2,624 churches in North America on December 31, 1940, was 185,788. This^, represented a gain of 34 churches and 8,447 members during the year. Total contributions during 1940 were $10,044,540.12, which was an unprecedented gain of $1,106,820.50 over the amount received during 1939. The contributions during 1940 were greater than the average for the preced­ing five years by $2,029,048.19. This was a per capita of $54.07 for every member in North. America at the close of 1940.

The report for 1940 for North America. shows a gain in thirty of the thirty-three items listed in the Statistical Report. The year 1940 has been the best year, considering all phases of our work, that we have ever experienced. Our membership now stands at the highest point ever reached in this country ; our funds for 1940 were the greatest ever received during any year in our history ; our laborers, both evangelistic and institutional, stand at the highest point we have ever reached thus far, and our institutions have made excellent gains during the year. To the Lord we give all the praise for His manifold mercies and care over this work, and pledge anew our confidence in this cause and our best efforts for its rapid extension.

*Loss, occasioned by transfer of 5,991 members to other divisions.