FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ATLANTA • ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Letter from the Senior Pastor Dear Members and Friends of FPC Atlanta, As we look back at 2021, we see both disruption of our expected routines and the witness of a community of faith choosing to stay committed to our church and each other. Last year, we had to make several adjustments in our worship and gathering schedules. We moved fluidly from gathering in person to using our excellent livestream capacities to worship, learn, and connect. Sunday school classes, small groups, and worship were online for the early months of the year, while our devoted Community Ministries staff and volunteers continued to serve our most vulnerable neighbors in person on campus. We were able to come back together for inperson worship and gatherings by March, and with the rollout of the vaccine and, eventually, the booster shot, many of our members have come back to the corner of Peachtree and 16th Streets. Others continue to join our livestream and access the extensive digital content our staff has created during Covid time. All the while, we have continued as one church. With creativity and thoughtfulness, we have been able to stay connected in prayer, care, worship, fellowship, encouragement, and compassion during this up and down year.
The year ended on a very high note. On December 19, 2021, at a called meeting of the congregation, the membership voted (with 90% of votes in favor) to enter into a loan agreement with Atlantic Capital Bank to finance our transformational renovation and construction project. We hope to break ground during the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2022. During 2021, I led the quiet phase of our capital campaign, which was met with incredible generosity. We finished the year with 95 pledges totaling $27 million. Thanks be to God for the generosity of this community. As we look ahead toward 2022, we face a season of transition, complexity, and disruption. Now more than ever, may we ask God to give us the gifts we need to persevere. May we be creative, loving, kind, flexible, generous, and hopeful as we press on into God’s good future and the beginning of the next chapter in the life and faith of our spiritual home.
Blessings,
Tony Sundermeier Senior Pastor
Membership Statistics Membership, 1/1/21 Total: 1907 Members Jan 1
Membership, 12/31/21 Total: 1732 New Members Transfers
2021 1907 53 2020 1856 68 2019 1889 67 2018 1846 87 2017 1809 91 2016 1943 96 2015 1932 60 2014 2156 63 2013 2187 69 2012 2616 84 2011 2599 87 2010 2593 66 2009 2587 62 2008 2581 97 2007 3107 109
Deaths
Net Change
Membership
12 20 21 3 13 52 10 24 48 11 23 53 37 15 39 22 13 61 20 23 17 38 21 4 75 25 -31 48 19 17 50 20 17 32 15 19 32 24 6 46 26 25 62 29 28
Moved to Inactive Roll
Members Dec 31
1928 -196 1732 1908 -1 1907 1922 -66 1856 1899 -10 1889 1848 -2 1846 2004 -195 1809 1949 -6 1943 2160 -228 1932 2156 0 2156 2633 -446 2187 2616 0 2616 2612 -13 2599 2593 0 2593 2606 -19 2587 3135 -554 2581
Inactive Roll consists of members who had not worshipped or financially contributed to the church in a consecutive, twenty-four month period.
Worship Statistics 2021 In-Person Services (40 Sundays/Christmas Eve)
246
Annual Livestream Weekly Attendance (Multiplier 1.5 people per device)
510
Average Attendance 2021
700
Easter Sunday Worship
1822
(In-Person and Livestream)
Christmas Eve Worship
1713 (In-Person and Livestream)
Baptisms 18 Weddings 14
Financial Statistics
2021
2021
2022
($ in thousands) Revenues Contribution Revenue Endowment & Trust Income Other Release from Operating Reserves Total Revenues
Actual Budget Budget $ 3,974 4,072 4,073 1,163 1,152 1,219 187 192 177 - 273 612 5,324 5,689 6,081
Expenses Care Communications Faith Formation Connections Community Global Mission Epiphany Session Commitment & Expenses Worship Arts Property Management Administration Total Expenses Net Surplus (deficit)
$223 245 368 869 872 872 671 699 753 9 10 18 567 717 588 217 264 271 5 8 65 117 119 115 628 683 710 61 69 62 1,196 1,173 1,366 802 830 893 5,365 5,689 6,081 (41) -