Generational Differences in the Determinants of Religious Giving

Pastors across a variety of religious traditions have expressed the concern that their congregations will experience financial difficulties as their older, more generous givers, die off. Implicit in this concern is the opinion that, for whatever reason, younger members will be less generous givers as they replace the older cohorts. This study considers the determinants of religious giving across generational cohorts. While the study is informed by a "formative Years" framework (as opposed to a life-cycle framework), in fact the empirical results fail to demonstrate the consistency across generational cohorts and denominational groups that would be needed to support the formative years framework. Rather, denominational differences are found to be more important determinants of religious giving than generational cohort differences. Having said this, the study nevertheless concludes that there are actions that pastors can (and should) take to ensure that they reach members of all generational cohorts.