Respondents who say someone passed Christianity down to them ( 40 %) are actually more likely to hold a nominal faith , which is not characterized by a personal commitment to faith in Jesus ( compared to 30 % who had a negative Christian model in their upbringing and 21 % of those who had no Christian influence in their upbringing ). Their theology also tends to be less characterized by some of the traditional tenets of Christianity . Fewer people in this group view God as the creator and ruler of the universe ( 79 %) or affirm that they will go to heaven because of belief in Jesus ’ forgiveness ( 62 %). They more often think of Satan as merely symbolic ( 54 % agree strongly + somewhat ), and 64 percent agree at least somewhat that people go to heaven if they are generally good . Those whose Christian faith was absent or not positively nurtured in their families of origin could have a harder time establishing spiritual rituals and community in their current households . Those who say their faith exists despite negative Christian examples in their family of origin are the group most certain of the inerrancy of scripture ( 94 % agree ). One way or another , Christians need outside influences for robust faith formation . Adults whose upbringing did not plant them in meaningful Christian teachings or traditions might grow in community with their extended households . Meanwhile , adults with a long-held Christian identity might look to resources and voices beyond their family of origin to re-examine or strengthen their beliefs .
Consistent or pledged giving may also prove daunting to young adults in seasons of career-building and financial instability . Meanwhile , older generations , likely having established themselves financially and perhaps now thinking about personal responsibility and legacy , favor giving patterns that are pre-planned . As a whole , practicing Christians are more likely to say their recent financial giving was sacrificial — perhaps a reflection of intent as much as amount — rather than offered out of a surplus . Generational trends are not as stark here , but Gen Z ( 25 %) and Millennials ( 24 %) are still nearly twice as likely as Boomers ( 12 %) and Elders ( 15 %) to say their recent giving was a major sacrifice for them . This and other studies establish some context as to why generations approach generosity from different angles and why , for some , financial giving can be an obstacle . Gen Z , who are increasingly concerned with financial and professional success , and Millennials , many of whom are
in the early stages of their career , are much less secure financially than Elders , Boomers or even Gen X . Overall , nearly one-third of practicing Christians tells Barna they struggle with personal debt ( 32 % say it ’ s either a “ significant ” or “ huge ” problem ). This proportion peaks among Millennials ( a generation marked by student loans and lower incomes ), 40 percent of whom report that debt is a problem of at least some significance in their lives . Gen X is not far behind ( 34 %). One in four among Boomers ( 23 %) or Elders ( 36 %) says they are debt-free , though some still face this financial pressure ( 26 % and 16 %, respectively , say debt is either a “ significant ” or “ huge ” problem ).
Why the Generations Approach Generosity Differently
Generosity appears to be alive and well in the Christian community , according to new Barna research , commissioned by Thrivent . Almost nine in 10 practicing Christians ( 88 %) say that generosity is either “ extremely ” or “ very ” important to them , and one-third ( 32 %) feel very satisfied with their personal generosity , with Millennials leading the way in this respect ( 45 %). Yet financial giving rates alone belie their apparent enthusiasm : Only 13 percent of Millennials and even fewer Gen Z ( 6 %) give money on a frequent basis . Financial giving is often spontaneous , sacrificial — and may be hindered by debt . Younger generations are almost five times more likely than Boomers and Elders to say their recent financial giving experiences were spontaneous rather than planned . For example , roughly one-third of Gen Z ( 35 %) and Millennial ( 32 %) practicing Christians characterizes their recent giving as completely spontaneous , compared to only 7 percent of Elders . The reverse was true for Elders ; about one-third ( 34 %) says their recent giving was purely planned . As we ’ ve seen , younger generations are more driven by compassion , which could explain a tendency toward spontaneity or reactive giving .
Churches Believe They Are Welcoming to Those With Disabilities
A new survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors and churchgoers about their church and those with disabilities .
22 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | JAN / FEB 2021