Research Study of Denominational Giving

Research Objectives At what level do they give? Who gives to Mennonite Church USA? To what do they give? With what motivations? What are attitudes toward the denomination and how does that influence giving? In what ways do members currently give? What characteristics of the population help us understand differences in giving patterns?

Research Methodology Framing Focus Groups Phone Interviews of 600 lay members Random sample of persons age 40 and younger Random sample of persons age 41 and older Random sample of persons in a multi-racial congregation Idea Testing Focus Groups

Profile of Respondents Does the profile of the respondents match what is known about the population? Generally, the answer is “YES.” Possible Exceptions Sample frame bias Males may be over-represented 7.3% of respondents are from multi-racial congregations (membership population is 10%)

Profile of Respondents-Income

Profile-Congregational Life

Profile-Active in Church

Profile-Theological Views

Profile-Political Views

Giving Patterns of Mennonite Church USA Members Do Mennonites Give? Given non-financial contributions to meet human or church needs 87% Given time and talent as a lay leader 75% Prayed for leadership of MC USA 83% Given money to my local congregation 97% Given to other specific Mennonite ministry beyond the local church 80% Personally encouraged pastor 92%

How much do members give to any charity? Given to any charity?

Predictive Model for Giving to Charity Seven variables were found as predictors of level of giving to charity. Active in congregation Giving “out of a habit of giving back to God a part of what has been given to me” Older in age Increased “financial ability to give in recent years” Persons giving less are more motivated to give for special need Those most likely to say that situation will resolved when people become aware of the situation” are giving less percentage to any charity.

Proportion of giving to Mennonite Church USA?

Predictive Model for Giving to Mennonite Church USA Profile of persons giving a high percentage of contributions to Mennonite Church USA: Personal commitment to church A “habit of giving” A giving “worldview” that extends beyond the local congregation Less focus on autonomy of local congregation

To whom do Mennonites give? First and foremost, they give to the local congregation 80% say that they have given to ministry beyond local congregation 88% agree (53% “strongly agree”) that their congregations have a “responsibility to allocate a percentage of contributions to support area conference and denominational programming”

Responsibility of congregation to give to denomination?

Personal responsibility to give to denominational interests?

For what is personal designated giving earmarked? Mennonite Central Committee (36%) Various Church Camps (17%) Area Conferences (14%) Mennonite Mission Network (11%) Mennonite Disaster Service (7%) Colleges/ Universities/Schools (7%)

Potential for “big gifts?”

Where would you give $1 million? Mennonite Central Committee (36%) Committed to total ministry of MC USA Tend to be older in age Tend to be more liberal politically and theologically Give greater percentage to Mennonite ministries Local Congregation (26%) Mennonite Church USA Other service or mission work (10%) Mennonite Educational Agency (4%)

Where would you give $1 million? Continued…. Non-Mennonite charities Tend to be conservative politically and theologically Give higher percentage of income to charity Less likely to give majority of contributions to Mennonite Church USA Less encouraged about the future of the Church Mennonite College/University (6%)

Optimistic about future of Mennonite Church USA?

Optimistic about the future of Mennonite Church USA? Characteristics of most optimistic “Somewhat liberal” theologically “Independent” or “somewhat liberal” politically Denominationally oriented

What would make members more optimistic? Time and Trust: Significant remaining struggle with the “creation process of Mennonite Church USA” Call for a clear and compelling vision for the new church Various and diverse opinions Some call for a return to “more conservative historical Mennonite values” Greater efforts on outreach missions Increase ethnic and racial diversity Strengthen outreach for youth

Three primary patterns: Why a funding shortage? Three primary patterns: Confusion and skepticism lingering about denominational transformation Mennonites acculturated into secular society and the lost focus on biblical tithing Lack of money, bad economy and too many entities chasing limited funds

Awareness of the need?

Missional Church is valued?

“First Fruit” valued and inspiring?

Special perspectives of members in multi-racial congregations? More likely to be “very active” in congregation. More likely to be giving a higher percentage of income to charity. Less likely to be giving a majority of giving to Mennonite Church USA. There is strong evidence of appreciation for Mennonite Church USA and support for direction and structures. No other statistical differences found.

Special perspectives of members of age less than 41 years? They are active in the church, but group of very young are less likely to be “very active.” They do give to charity, but are likely to give a lower percentage to charity. They are not less likely to give to MC USA. They are less likely to be in a “habit of giving” and less likely to respond to “first fruit.”

Special perspectives of members of age less than 41 years? Less likely to say “definitely yes” when asked if motivated to give “because of my commitment as a Anabaptist Christian to the mission of Mennonite Church USA.” Younger people are not necessarily less optimistic about the Church, more “local” in their perspective or less loyal to Mennonite Church USA.

Special perspectives of members of age less than 41 years? Predictive model for giving to charity Active in congregation Believe in giving “out of a habit of giving back to God a part of what has been given to me.” A stronger intention to one day give a significant gift. Stronger financial ability to give in recent years. Feel limited by concept of “first fruit.”

Special perspectives of members of age less than 41 years? Predictive model for giving to Mennonite Church USA Conservative members are less likely to give to Mennonite Church USA. Persons most likely to give are motivated “in response to my love for Jesus.” Older members are more likely to say that “first fruits” is motivating giving.

Recommendations Immediate Steps: Make the need known. Recognize reality of limited income in challenging days. Intentionally and proactively teach the biblical philosophy of “first fruit giving.” Do not focus on “system” of “first fruit giving.” Discourage competition among sub-groups of Mennonite Church USA for membership giving. Articulate how each part creates synergy for the whole. What does it look like to be missional?

Recommendations Immediate Steps: Answer the key giving questions: What are we giving to and for what purpose? How is giving to the denomination impacting lives for Christ’s glory? Make sure the Church is living within its means. Tell specific and compelling stories of the impact of giving. Demonstrate financial accountability. Setup a system of expressing appreciation and reporting outcomes.

Recommendations Strategic Steps Continue to work on articulating a compelling vision for the “whole.” Find synergy for a common purpose. A “one-size fits all” strategy is not likely to work. Think in terms of “segments” or “one-to-one.” Consider an “advancement model” of giving. Be careful to not have an “entitlement mentality.” Identify the top giving congregations and build specific “win-win” giving plans for each around their ministry interests. Build this approach to reach all congregations over time.

Recommendations Strategic Steps Listen to and learn from the emerging Mennonite populations (various minority groups and new Mennonites). Why do they want to be Mennonite? What makes them feel accepted? Recognize that communication to the young is likely to be different from traditional models. Find creative and engaging ways to communicate. Connect the young to a mission beyond themselves that is motivated out of a love for Jesus Christ. Demonstrate how a habit of giving is biblically linked to a life of commitment to Christ.