Note: This article is one in a series examining results from a 1998 survey of the three largest racial- ethnic groups in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)--African Americans, Hispanics, and Koreans. Comparisons for whites come from the Presbyterian Panel.
TIME
Worship. Most members of Presbyterian congregations think of themselves as regular church attenders. Koreans top the list: 95 percent indicate that they attend Sunday worship "every week" or "almost every week," compared to 83 percent of Hispanics, 75 percent of African Americans, and 64 percent of whites.
Other church activities. More than one-half of Korean (54 percent) and almost as many Hispanic (47 percent) members report spending 6 or more hours in the last month attending church school and other activities of their congregation. Somewhat fewer African American (36 percent) and white (28 percent) members report spending 6 or more hours in church activities over the last month.
Church leadership. Nine in ten Korean Presbyterians (89 percent) hold a leadership position in their congregations, slightly more than the 86 percent and 81 percent, respectively, who do so among African Americans and Hispanics. Whites are lowest, at 69 percent. Consistently, 35 percent of Koreans, 33 percent of Hispanics, 29 percent of African Americans, and 19 percent of whites report spending 6 or more hours in the last month in leadership activities at their church.
MONEY
Regular giving to congregations. On average, Korean member households report higher annual giving amounts to congregations than any other racial-ethnic group. Their average regular offering contribution, $3,462, is almost double that of the next highest group, African Americans, at $1,920 per household. Whites, at $1,791 are next, followed by Hispanics, at $1,282.
Special offerings. The general giving pattern just noted is mirrored in annual contributions to special appeals, such as One Great Hour of Sharing and the Christmas Joy Offering. Koreans give the most per household to these causes, $595, followed by whites ($280), African Americans ($167), and Hispanics ($145).
Capital campaigns. The pattern also holds for annual giving to capital projects and programs: Koreans average $1,340 per household, almost triple the $494 average among whites. African Americans average $407 in giving to capital funds, and Hispanics, $174.
Total giving to congregations. Overall, Koreans annually give an average of $5,655 per household to their congregations, compared to $2,595 among whites, $2,388 among African Americans, and $1,517 among Hispanics. In relative terms, Korean members also give the most on average. Their total giving to congregations is 8.6 percent of household income, compared to 3.8 percent among African Americans, and 2.8 percent among both whites and Hispanics.
In sum, Korean members tend to have the highest levels of stewardship in both participation and giving. Whites tend to have the lowest. Hispanics are also low in giving, in part because 40 percent of them live in Puerto Rico, where per capita incomes are much lower than in the mainland U.S. In the stewardship of time, Hispanics are closer to Koreans in their levels of participation. African Americans are closer to whites, but a bit more active than whites are, on average.
If you're interested in a 4-page summary, Send a $3 check (payable to, and in care of) Research Services, PC(USA) at the 100 Witherspoon address in Louisville, request the Racial-Ethnic Presbyterian Summary.
Research Services