By Cynthia Woolever
Citizens who go to worship also go to the voting booth. Eight in ten worshipers (83%) reported voting in the last presidential election. In contrast, only about six in ten eligible Americans (62%) actually voted for president in 2008. What accounts for this 20 percentage-point difference?
High levels of community engagement. Those who participate in congregations also engage with their communities in a variety of ways. They tend to pay attention to politics—that could affect the qualilty of life in their neighborhood. Almost half of attendees (45%) put their faith in action through their involvement in social service or advocacy groups. In addition, three in four gave money to a charitable organization (other than the congregation) in the previous year.
Worshipers are also more likely than the average American to work with others to solve a community problem (20% of worshipers did so in the previous year; 33% of the American public has ever done so)and contribute money to a political party or candidate (16% of worshipers vs. 7% of the public in the previous year).
Encouragement from the pulpit. Congregational leaders play a role in raising the activism bar among worshipers. During religious services, worshipers in 91% of congregations are told about volunteer opportunities to assist others in the community. Four in ten worshipers hear information about voter registration, and one in four hear about opportunities for political activity (Note: Because the attendee survey occurred during 2008, an election year, the results might be higher than other years.)
Political demographics. Whites, older people, the well educated, and women register and vote more often than non-whites, younger people, those less educated, and men.[i] The demographic profile of voters lines up neatly with the demographic profile of the average worshiper—white (81%), older (69% are 45 years of age or older), educated (47% have a college degree), and female (61%).[ii]
| Worshipers | Voters | U.S. Population |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 81% | 84% | 76% |
| Age 45 and older | 69% | 60% | 48% |
| College degree | 47% | 35% | 27% |
| Female | 61% | 60% | 51% |
Engaged and mobilized people make a difference! Certainly, one recession-proof resource that congregations possess is the people who participate. Worshipers are making a difference in the lives of others and in their community. Potential members, especially young people, are often attracted to congregations where they can be engaged in ministry.
How does your congregation communicate to the people in the community that opportunities exist for them to make a difference? How does your congregation celebrate the contributions that current members already make to the larger community? How easy is it for new worshipers to find opportunities within and through your congregation to serve others? How open is the congregation to new ways of serving others?
[i] Source for voter demographics
[ii] The average (median) age is calculated for those 15 years of age and older for both worshipers and in the U.S. population.
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