Belief in the tradition of tithing (giving a tenth of one’s income) to the church one attends is collapsing among the “2030” generation. Tithes are the churches’ core financial element, being used for maintenance, relief ministries and so on. If next-generation perceptions about tithing at one’s own church, needed for its viable future, continue changing in this direction and become the general reality, there could be negative waves such as financial crises at large churches. It seems urgent that the churches take special measures in response to the younger generation’s demands, such as for open accounting and more effective relief ministries.
According to the “Results of a Survey on Protestant Church Members’ Perceptions of Key Korean Church Issues,” announced this past December 29 by the Korean National Association of Christian Pastors (KACP; Rev. Lee Seong-gu, president), one out of two believers in their 20s or 30s thinks, “I can give tithes to churches and organizations other than the church I attend.” (See graphic.)
Reporter Gu Jachang (critic@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Graphic by Young Eun Lee
Full Story in Korean:
젊은층의 ‘십일조 반란’… 교회가 흔들린다: 2030 기독교인 2명 중 1명 “출석 교회 이외 다른 교회나 단체에 낼 수 있다”고 응답
Young People’s Revolt Against Tithing Makes Churches Tremble
2018-01-19 17:05
