ADVERTISING
Kingdom values have helped bring radical transformation in society precisely when Christians understood their calling to be salt and light in the public square.
Honesty is the most important ministry quality for Millennials, who are optimistic about their giving, self-motivated, and expect ministries to show the love of Jesus.
Photo: Remi Walle (Unsplash).
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) has just released a research that analyses the giving patterns of the largest generation—Millennials.
The Generosity Project uncovered a pattern of optimism among young donors, who cite feeling hopeful and satisfied after giving, and report being highly engaged and invested with the ministries and organizations they support financially.
COMMITTED MILLENNIALS
"Millennials see the world in a whole new way, and gaining access to this lens is the only way organizations will stay relevant”, the study says.
“Donors under the age of 35 are passionate about life and connected deeply to causes they care about, an encouraging sign for non profit organizations endeavouring to do good work in the world today", it adds.
According to Dan Busby, ECFA President and CEO, "understanding the next generation is crucial for non-profit organizations, and ECFA is pleased to offer insight into this important segment of givers."
Millennials have long been reported as the most conscious generation to date, with a track record of championing health, social, economic and environmental causes, as well as supporting businesses and organizations committed to making a positive difference in the world.
ONLINE SURVEY
The report is based on an online survey conducted for ECFA by Campbell Rinker and A Work in Progress.
It reflects data gathered from 16,800 donors to 17 non-church Christian ministries. Of these respondents, 22% were Millennials; donors born before 1982 comprised the remaining 78% of participants.
The study provides strong evidence that this generation's passionate engagement also influences their giving patterns.
OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THEIR GIVING
ECFA logo.Additionally, the research shows that Millennials are optimistic about their giving, and they are significantly more likely to experience a range of positive emotions after giving when compared with older generations.
They feel hopeful (69 vs. 60%), invested (53 vs. 46%), satisfied (48 vs. 42%), generous (45 vs. 25% ) and confident (25 vs. 20%).
SELF- MOTIVATED DONORS
The Generosity Project also reveals that millennials are self-motivated.Fifty-two percent of millennials reported giving because of who they are, a percentage significantly higher than for previous generations.
While older generations are more inclined to give because of the ministry asking them, only 21% of Millennials reported to do so.
Givers are significantly more likely to give because they’ve been blessed than because they hope to receive a blessing. This is especially true for Millennials.
A MINSTRY THAT SHOWS THE LOVE OF CHRIST
Ninety percent of all donors surveyed reported researching an organization on its website before giving.
Millennials are not only more likely to do this than their forebearers, but they are also significantly more likely to conduct additional research by asking other people for information about an organization (87%) or by checking a third-party website (73%) before deciding to give.
Givers in all age groups are 10 times more likely to support a ministry that shows the love of Jesus than any other guiding traits of ministry service.
HONESTY, A KEY QUALITY
While 99% of donors report "honesty in business practices" is a "somewhat" or "very" important quality in a ministry, Millennial donors ranked highest (56%) by reporting this is the most important quality a ministry can have.
Financial accountability is considered a positive influence on their decision to keep supporting a ministry by 94% of all donors surveyed.
Meanwhile, 92% agree it is extremely important for ministries to uphold specific standards of financial integrity.
Ask God to help you show love to all, even though some may not want to accept it.
Resins are organic secretions produced by many plants with the aim of providing a natural protection against insects, fungi and other pests.
The differences between Romanism and Protestantism.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Testimony: Wildfires near Athens
Nico Spies, a Christian worker in Athens, gives details about the wildfires in Greece.
Arie de Pater: Refugees deserve a fair and efficient process
The Brussels representative of the European Evangelical Alliance offers a Christian perspective on the crisis: “We can’t reduce people to just a number that needs to be controlled”.
IFES World Assembly: ‘Messengers of Hope’
Students, graduates and staff of the global evangelical student movement reflected together on how the books of Luke and Acts apply to today's universities.
Christians at work - the missing link in fulfilling the Great Commission
Photos of the Lausanne Movement Global Workplace Forum, celebrated in Manila.
European Freedom Network Bridge 2019 conference
Images of the fifth EFN gathering. Experts, activists, counsellors and church leaders met in Pescara, Italy.
Glimpses of the ELF 2019 conference
Evangelical leaders from across Europe meet in Wisla (Poland) to network for mission in a range of fields. The vision is to renew the biblical church and evangelise Europe.
‘Small churches, big potential for transformation’
Photos of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance’s annual gathering “Idea 2019”, in Murcia. Politicians and church leaders discussed about the role of minorities in society.
How has Christianity influenced the modern world?
Paul Copan, Chair of Philosophy and Ethics of Palm Beach Atlantic University, explains how many key features of Western civilization, are the legacy of the biblical faith being lived out by believers in society.
Chinese Homecoming Gathering: Thousands say 'we’re one'
Christians from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and North America, from different ethnic backgronds, came together to pray for unity as the body of Christ.
How have global missions changed over the last century?
The centre of gravity of Christianity has shifted from Europe to Africa, says Nana Yaw Offei Awuku, Director of the Lausanne Younger Leaders Generation initiative.
Christian organisations call to pray for new British Prime Minister
Representatives of the National Day of Prayer, the Evangelical Alliance and CARE express the need for churches to pray for the new leadership of a country divided by Brexit and other issues.
GWF in Manila: “Kingdom building requires global collaboration”
850 from 108 countries met for the Global Workplace Forum, June 25-29. The gathering was organised by the Lausanne Movement. “Every workplace is a place of ministry”.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or