How many multi-point parishes are there in the ELCA?
There are 799 multi-point parishes. These parishes include between two and six congregations. The total number of congregations in these parishes is 1,753. There are: • 676 parishes made up of two congregations • 102 parishes made up of three congregations • 12 parishes made up of four congregations • 7 parishes made up of five congregations • 2 parishes made up of six congregations (The only way we know that a congregation is part of a multi-point parish is when it is served by a pastor (or pastors) who also serves another congregation or several congregations. Congregations which do not have a called pastor aren’t counted here, even though they may be operating as a multi-point parish. We have little or no information about interim pastors and contract pastors. Multi-point parishes, therefore, served by pastors not under call by the congregations are also not counted.) Are multi-point parishes usually served by one pastor? Yes, but there are a few situations where two pastors (common
