The finding comes from research presented in Barna’s latest and final report in their The State of Generosity series—Investing in the Future, created in partnership with Gloo and Kingdom Advisors.
The study shows that while millennials and Gen Z adults are great when it comes to giving their time to churches, some 51% of pastors say they’re “very concerned” about them not financially supporting the church, while another 43% are “somewhat concerned.”
In the study Barna researchers noted, “Pastors’ concerns may stem from a pragmatic reality: The future of the Church depends in large part on generosity. “
The researchers offered a suggestion; start with building on a shared conviction among pastors and young parishioners: that churches have a responsibility to guide the next generation into a life of greater generosity.
In a 2022 study called “The Generation Gap: Evangelical Giving Preferences” which was based on input from more than 1,000 American Evangelical Protestants, researchers found that when it comes to giving, younger donors have a more “global mindset” and a broader range of causes they want to support with their dollars.
Grey Matter Research President Ron Sellers said many ministries and charities looking to survive in the current donor climate might need to provide more diversity in their programming that takes in the interests of younger believers.