Almost all Presbyterians pray at least several times a week, survey suggests

Middle-aged and older Presbyterians, however, lead the way

by Perry Chang, Research Services | Special to the Presbyterian News Service

9 in 10 Presbyterian pray at least several times a week, according to the new Person in the Pew survey.

LOUISVILLE – Nearly all (90%) of Presbyterians pray at least several times a week and nearly half (42%) read the Bible on their own at least several times a week. Middle-aged and older Presbyterians engage in these spiritual disciplines more frequently than younger Presbyterians do.

This information comes from responses from some of the first participants in the new Person in the Pew survey format, a project of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Research Services. Person in the Pew Surveys are open to all Presbyterians. Opportunities for participation will be listed in future news articles and will be posted on research-services.pcusa.org.

Sixty-one percent of Person in the Pew participants report praying or meditating at least once a day, and 29% do so several times a week. Seventeen percent report reading the Bible on their own at least once a day, while 25% do so several times a week.

More Persons in the Pew pray at least several times a week than read the Bible that frequently

 A breakdown by age group shows that more participants in their late 50s or early 60s pray and read the Bible at least several times a week than do other participants, while fewer participants in their teens, 20s, 30s, or early 40s than other participants do so.

Praying and Bible reading at least several times a week vary by age group

Differences among age groups may reflect how literacy has changed over the past half century. “Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (and other similar social media platforms) have changed how much people are accustomed to reading,” says the Rev. Dr. Jason Santos, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s mission coordinator for Christian formation. “This has had an influence on how younger generations see reading the Bible.”

Religious influences may also vary by age group. Presbyterians who are middle-aged or older with any kind of evangelical background are likely to see Scripture reading and prayer as a key part of discipleship, according to Santos. “The notion of devotions has played a significant role in the formation of the boomers,” he says. “Those behavioral requirements for discipleship aren’t as persuasive with younger generations.”

A small majority of Person in the Pew participants (57%) report saying grace before meals at least several times a week, and 16% volunteer for a community organization at least several times a week. There are no clear age-group differences in involvement in these practices.

Research Services and the Presbyterians who provided these responses connected initially through PC(USA) congregations. To start, congregations supplied names and contact information for would-be participants in periodic surveys about topics important to the denomination. Individuals who agreed to participate (2,479 so far) began by completing a background survey. The results outlined above were taken from the Background Survey.

So that participants would literally represent Persons in the Pew, pastors of congregations were excluded. Pastors of PC(USA) congregations and other PC(USA) ministers are being surveyed this fall.

The Person in the Pew and Church on the Corner surveys, unveiled this year, provide all Presbyterians the opportunity to participate. Presbyterians of color, Presbyterians who are not current session members or who are not ruling elders at all, men and Presbyterians from larger congregations are among those currently underrepresented. A comparison of Person in the Pew Background Survey results with church membership statistics maintained by presbyteries and the Office of the General Assembly shows this.

“We are going to be able to add to this important group of Presbyterians continually,” says Dr. Susan Barnett, Research Services coordinator. “Even more participants will be able to share their thoughts with church leaders, reflect on their own lives as Christians and learn more about what is going on in the church.”

Already, some Person in the Pew participants have also responded to surveys about PC(USA) communications.

Members of PC(USA) congregations, ministers who are not pastors, and others who attend worship at PC(USA) congregations who are interested in participating should contact Research Services.