What are the social issues that most concern Presbyterians? We recently asked those serving on the Presbyterian Panel to indicate which of 19 issues they are "especially concerned about." Results indicate that our social consciences are intact--for most issues, large majorities in each sample reported concern. The largest percentages of both members (93 percent) and pastors (95 percent) are concerned about family issues. Almost as many are also concerned about youth violence, schools/educational issues, health care, criminal justice, and hunger/malnutrition.
| Members | Pastors | ||
| Family issues | 93% | 95% | |
| Youth violence | 92% | 92% | |
| Schools/educational issues | 90% | 87% | |
| Health care | 86% | 88% | |
| Criminal justice | 86% | 83% | |
| Hunger and malnutrition | 85% | 90% | |
| Environmental issues | 84% | 91% | |
| Peace/disarmament | 82% | 82% | |
| Discrimination | 81% | 93% | |
| Race relations | 77% | 92% | |
| Social Security | 75% | 65% | |
| Social welfare | 72% | 79% | |
| International human rights | 71% | 82% | |
| Campaign finance reform | 66% | 71% | |
| Women's issues | 62% | 68% | |
| Immigration | 56% | 50% | |
| Affirmative action | 53% | 64% | |
| Gay and lesbian issues | 53% | 75% | |
| Sustainable development | 42% | 54% |
For most items, the level of concern is similar for members, elders, and ministers. For others, the percentage of ministers expressing concern is about 10 percent larger than that for laity: race relations, affirmative action, gay and lesbian issues, discrimination, and sustainable development. Overall, the issues that are of concern to the fewest are sustainable development, immigration, and affirmative action.
How do these responses compare to those of Americans more generally? The Gallup Poll has frequently asked a somewhat similar question: "What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?" While Presbyterian Panel respondents were asked about 19 specific issues, Gallup Poll respondents were free to name any issue. When responses given to this question in May 2000 were categorized, the most frequently mentioned problems were education (mentioned by 16 percent) and ethics/morals/decline of the family (15 percent). Crime and violence in general was mentioned by 13 percent, and school shootings, specifically, by 2 percent. Health care was seventh on the list--mentioned by 8 percent. Not surprisingly, the issues of concern to Presbyterians are similar to the problems most American report.
We also asked Presbyterians where they obtain information about the social issues they care about and found that most rely almost entirely on secular sources. Majorities of members and elders rely on local and national newspapers and television for information on social issues (saying they receive almost all or a great deal of such information from these sources). The largest percentages of pastors (about half) rely on national newspapers, television programs, and magazines or periodicals. Few depend on Presbyterian publications (6 percent of members, 22 percent of pastors) or their local church (9 percent and 11 percent, respectively) to stay up-to- date on these issues.
This lack of reliance on the church for information fits with findings from another Panel question. Except for the broad category of family issues, most members do not recall hearing a sermon in the last year on most of the social issues that concern them. While 79% recall a sermon on family issues and one-half heard one on hunger and malnutrition, less than half of members report hearing a sermon on the other 17 issues on the list. Pastors would beg to differ. In addition to the two topics that at least half of members recall hearing about, a majority of pastors report preaching about discrimination, environmental issues, peace and disarmament, race relations, and youth violence. Need a sermon topic for Sunday? Take a look at the table!
For more: Copies of "The Public Role of Presbyterians" are available for $5 from PDS at (800) 524-2612; ask for item PDS #65100-99261.
Email the author: Deborah A. Bruce
Research Services