Our research shows that Presbyterians have more education than the average American and that the income of the average Presbyterian is higher than the income of the average American. But we haven't yet looked at Presbyterians' experience with adversity.
In the February 1997 Presbyterian Panel questionnaire, we asked about the misfortunes that panelists might have experienced in the previous year. While we don't have national data for comparison, the results by themselves point out the need to continue to be alert to the troubles others in the congregations we attend or serve might be facing.
Nine percent of members, elders, and pastors, and 13 percent of specialized clergy experienced "a major financial loss (involving 20 percent or more of their income)" in the past year. About 10 percent in each sample had "a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild die" in the last year. In addition, about one-quarter of panelists reported that one of those family members "suffered a serious illness or accident" in the same time period.
In the previous year, 26 percent of members, 16 percent of elders, 27 percent of pastors, and 23 percent of specialized clergy had "a major disagreement or serious argument with a spouse, child, parent, grandparent or grandchild."
When panelists were asked to name their most recent major problem or challenge, the largest percentage of members (21 percent) described a matter involving their own health. In addition, 19 percent cited a problem at work, 17 percent named a health-related problem that someone else experienced, and 16 percent cited a family matter.
How do Presbyterians deal with such situations? Of ten possible responses to misfortune that we listed, panelists were most likely to report "looking to God for strength, support, and guidance"--around one-half in each sample relied on this method "a great deal" in grappling with their most recent problem. The vast majority of panelists did not see their misfortune as "God's way of punishing me for my sins or lack of spirituality" (88 percent of members and 93 percent of pastors responded "not at all").
A recent report cited by The New York Times indicates that women find multiple means of coping with pain. It seems reasonable that this trend would also hold for coping with misfortune. And, in fact that is the case for panelists. Women were more likely than men to report using each of the means of coping listed on the questionnaire (see table).
| Percent Responding "A Great Deal" | ||||
| Members | Pastors | |||
| Ways to Respond to Misfortune: | Female | Male | Female | Male |
| I looked to God for strength, support, and guidance | 52% | 36% | 70% | 57% |
| I worked together with God as partners to get through this problem | 33% | 21% | 47% | 40% |
| I tried to find the lesson from God in this problem | 21% | 17% | 33% | 29% |
| I tried to give spiritual strength to other people | 17% | 10% | 32% | 29% |
| I thought about how my life is part of a larger spiritual force | 17% | 10% | 35% | 27% |
It is encouraging that so many panelists report looking to God for help in coping and so few view misfortune as God's punishment. In the next article, we will look at the role of members of our congregations in helping us when we experience misfortune.
For more: Order a copy of the complete results from PDS at (800) 524-2612 and request the February 1997 Presbyterian Panel Report on "Spirituality and Health" (#70360-97251). The cost is $5.00.
Email the author: Keith Wulff
Research Services