The Reformed Church in Switzerland loses members, but not volunteers – Swiss Catholic Portal

The Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland lost 39,000 members in 2023. This is what emerges from the survey by the Swiss Institute of Pastoral Sociology (SPI), presented on November 14, 2024 at a press conference, in Bern . A loss of members which however contrasts with the commitment of volunteers.

Compared to 2023, Evangelical Reformed churches have lost 30% more members. This development is part of a long-term erosion of church affiliation, due to structural factors and individual decisions. Many members only have a distant link with the Church on an institutional level, which favors this exodus, indicates the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland (EERS), in a press release dated November 14, 2024.

The publication, in September 2023, of the pilot study on sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church led to an increase in departures among the Reformed. The media presence reminded some that they were still members of the Church and encouraged them to implement an exit already carried out within them, estimates the EERS.

“But the blame should not be placed solely on other institutions,” underlines Rita Famos, president of the EERS. “We face the challenge of being relevant and credible to people who are only vaguely connected to the Church even more intensively.”

“A smaller Church, but not weak”

“The Church has become smaller, if we consider the number of members,” continues Rita Famos. “But if we talk about the social value and impact of our Church, it remains great.” Despite the decline in figures, the Church remains a “pillar of society”, in particular thanks to the commitment of its volunteers.

In the territory of the Reformed Churches Bern-Jura-Solothurn, more than 588,000 hours of voluntary work are carried out each year, which corresponds to an economic value of more than 31 million francs. According to a recent study, the National Reformed Churches in the canton of Basel-Landschaft provided more than 524,000 hours of social services, including more than 398,000 hours of volunteer work, representing work valued at more than 20 million francs. Likewise, the report on the “contributions” of religious communities in the canton of Zurich also confirms the importance of Churches and religious communities for the common good, specifies the EERS.

Offers from all walks of life

The diaconal, cultural and social offerings of the Reformed Church also reach people from all walks of life: “Think of German courses for migrants, of Church places where coffee, a play corner and a listening ear help fight against isolation, or even to cultural events and concerts, often without paid entry,” continues Rita Famos. “I also think about the lessons Last aid which are very successful and in which people, regardless of their religious affiliation, talk about how they can accompany their loved ones in death. Many people, who do not or more formally belong to the Church, also get involved in these different projects because they feel connected to them.

Promote communion and commitment

The Evangelical Reformed Church intends to continue to address the challenges of society and to promote new forms of community. “Our task is to continue to offer spaces for exchange, spirituality and commitment to people who have distanced themselves from the institutional Church. The Church is not only an institution, but also a living community which, through the commitment of its members, shows that it meets the challenges of our time and remains deeply rooted in society,” concludes Rita Famos. (cath.ch/com/eers/gr)