Church Executive CHURCH EXECUTIVE NOV-DEC 2017 DIGITAL | Page 34

Age and generosity
A report by Barna in partnership with Thrivent, entitled “The
Generosity Gap,” studied how differences in giving may be attributed to
being a part of different generational groups.
There are differences in what people perceive as an act of generosity.
When American Chris tians were asked what their concept of “giving
to others” was, the most popular responses were “service” (32%) and
“emotional/relational support” (30%). Other responses include “giving
money” (22%), “hospitality” (12%), and “gifts” (5%). Barna made the
surprising finding of “giving money” as third on the list — this means
that one-fifth of adults consider it their top expression of “giving to others.”
Generational gaps are apparent. Millennials tend to favor hospitality
(21%) as opposed to giving money (13%). The norm for all Christians for
giving money is 22%, while hospitality for all Christians is 12%. The
values are flipped. Differing even further were Elders, who associated
“service” with generosity at 52% (to the 32% norm for American
Christians). Less than 1% of elders chose “hospitality” as their means
of expressing an act of generosity.
There is a correlation between what people think of as their ideal
of generosity and how they choose to express their own generosity. If
people believe that serving is the best way to display generosity, they
will give through acts of service. Offering relational support, serving,
and volunteering were the most common ways to show generosity
for all ages, but the rates for each age group are different. This can be
attributed to likely time and finances; some Elders are likely retired,
and therefore, have more free time. This is reflected in the finding
that elders tend to volunteer and provide service at the highest rates.
Millennials, who likely have fewer financial resources, reported the
lowest rate of monetary giving.
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CHURCH EXECUTIVE | NOV / DEC 2017
Data collected on giving donations shows that 84% of Millennials
reported donating less than $50 in the past year, as opposed to
Elders, who donated $50 or less at 37%. Data gathered by Barna
from 2013 to 2016 states that Christians reported giving $1,400
a year on average, which represents 3% to 4% of their disposable
income (based on average U.S. income of $39,424). When asked
“What would you consider to be the ultimate financial goal in
life?”, the response “to serve God with my money” was chosen by
only 1 in 10 Christians. Elders are twice as likely to identify this as a
priority in their finances. “Providing for my family” was No. 1 for all
Christians at 22%. Millennials chose this answer at a rate of 31% —
most likely because this group is beginning to start their families,
or contemplating it.
Education and religion
Pew Research center conducted a survey to show the relationship
between religion and education in the United States. Specifically, the
study aimed to examine whether there is a correlation between those
who have more education and being less religious. Seventy-one percent
of American adults identify as Christians. The findings show that, on
average, Christians who possess higher levels of education are just as
religious as those with lower levels. They are actually more likely to be
weekly churchgoers.
Overall, however, the correlation between more education and less
religion did seem to hold true. Forty-six percent of college graduates
say religion is “very important,” while 58% of those with a high school
diploma agreed. Thirty-six percent of Americans who are college
graduates attend their house of worship weekly, however, which is nearly
the same as those with just some college education (34%) and those with
a high school diploma or less (37%). And while college graduates are less
likely to identify as Christians, at 64% (compared to 75% of those with a
high school degree or less), overall, they are not less likely than others to
identify with a religion.) Seventy-six percent of those who hold a college
degree are affiliated with a religion (this includes all faiths), and 78% of
those who have a high school diploma or less identify with a religion.
The numbers related to religious commitment for American Christians
with college degrees are nearly the same (70%) for those who hold a high
school diploma or less (71%) or some college education (73%). A high level
of religious commitment was measured by worship attendance, frequency
of prayer, belief in God, and the importance of religion in one’s life.