Barna data shows that younger generations are still determining their identity as givers and are often more inclined to physical demonstrations of generosity rather than financial donations.

What does this mean for the future of the Church? In this article, we take a look at research from our latest and final report in The State of Generosity series—Investing in the Future, created in partnership with Gloo and Kingdom Advisors—to see how pastors feel about young peoples’ giving and if younger generations look to the Church for lessons in generosity.

Few Pastors Say Younger Generations Are Extremely Effective at Demonstrating Generosity One in three pastors (34%) feel that older congregants at their church are “extremely” effective at demonstrating generosity—an opinion they are seven times less likely to express about younger congregants (5%). In fact, the slight majority of pastors (56%) only go so far as to call younger congregants “somewhat” effective in this area. While they rarely have any criticism of the generosity of older congregants, one in five pastors (18%) call younger congregations “not very” effective in generosity. There’s no sugarcoating it: Pastors don’t think highly of younger generations’ generosity.

Are pastors being a bit unfair? After all, The State of Generosity research reveals admirably generous attitudes and potential among Millennials and now Gen Z, especially in the area of volunteering.