LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Almost three-quarters of Presbyterians believe Jesus Christ is "the only absolute Truth for humankind," but decidedly fewer think "only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved."

Those were among the findings of a recent survey of about 3,500 people -- 1,102 members, 1,145 elders and 1,435 ordained ministers -- randomly chosen for the 2003-2005 Presbyterian Panel, PCUSA News reported.

The Research Services Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) assembles a statistically representative group every three years to serve as subjects of numerous surveys on a variety of topics relevant to Presbyterians.

The background survey for the new group was conducted between October 2002 and January 2003, according to the news service.

Among the results:

• Less than half of all members were raised Presbyterian, but two-thirds of pastors were brought up in the church. About 15 percent of members and elders were raised Methodist and 10 percent were raised Baptist.
• The median age of members and elders is 55 years. For pastors and specialized clergy, it's 51 years. About 30 percent of all members and elders are retired.
• Though 61 percent of members are women, only half of church elders are females. Males make up 77 percent of pastors and 66 percent of specialized clergy.
• Presbyterian Church (USA) is overwhelmingly white. More than 90 percent of all four groups claimed that ethnicity. For members, it was 97 percent.
• More than half of the Presbyterian members live within three miles of their churches.

Additionally, two-thirds of members and 90 percent of elders said they attend worship weekly or nearly every week. The average member joined his or her current congregation 13 years ago, the average elder 17 years ago.

When panelists were asked whether they agree "the only absolute Truth for humankind is in Jesus Christ," 70 percent of members, 75 percent of elders, 71 percent of pastors and 55 percent of specialized clergy said they agree or strongly agree, according to the news report.

Only 43 percent of members, 50 percent of elders, 39 percent of pastors and 24 percent of other clergy said they agree or strongly agree "only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved."

Two-thirds of members and specialized clergy and 80 percent of pastors and elders said they agree that "Jesus will return to earth some day," and nearly all Presbyterians -- ranging from 86 percent of members to 96 percent of pastors -- believe in life after death.

Ninety-three percent of lay members of the denomination believe in heaven, but only 78 percent believe in hell.

More ministers (88 percent) said they pray every day than specialized clergy (82 percent), elders (73 percent) or members (64 percent).