We recently compiled results from the May 1999 Presbyterian Panel completed by a national sample of Presbyterian members, elders, pastors, and specialized clergy. The results provide an inside look at various aspects of Sabbath keeping across the denomination.
The great majority of panelists are familiar with the term "Sabbath keeping" (members, 74%; elders, 81%; pastors, 97%; and specialized clergy, 92%). Extremely large majorities of the panelists (86% to 100%) associate the word "Sunday" with "worship," "going to church," and "rejuvenating your spirits." Very large majorities of the panelists (79% to 99%) associate the word "Sabbath" with "worship," "a particular day of the week," "rest and restoration," and "a Christian practice." Most panelists also associate the phrase "rules and restrictions" both with "Sunday" and with "Sabbath."
Almost all panelists (92% to 96%) think John Calvin's definition of Sabbath-keeping (i.e., "resting from our work so that God can do God's work in us") is either excellent or good. Panelists are divided on the idea of separating the concept of Sabbath keeping from Sunday or a particular day of the week, with pastors and specialized clergy tending to be much more comfortable with such a conceptual shift (63% and 59%, respectively) vis-a-vis members and elders (29% and 24%, respectively).
Large majorities of panelists (85% to 97%) believe that "Presbyterians a generation or two back took the Sabbath more seriously than people do today." Panelists also believe that the change in the way that Americans spend their time on Sundays is due, in large part, to several factors: (1) people seeking to have more personal freedom; (2) a culture of materialism and consumption; (3) a shift from a religious nation to a more secular nation; (4) cultural overemphasis on achievement/productivity; (5) lack of participation in church; and (6) changing economic conditions. Panelists appear to be divided over the influence that increased participation of mothers and other women in the workforce has had on the change in how Americans spend their time on Sundays, with more members and elders (70% and 68%, respectively) than pastors and specialized clergy (both 51%) tending to believe this factor has had significant influence.
Large majorities of the panelists (80% to 85%) report that they spend anywhere from one to nine hours a week in Sabbath-keeping activities (see table). Smaller majorities (50% to 69%) indicate that they set aside several times a week or more for Sabbath keeping. Most panelists include prayer and meditation in their Sabbath-keeping activities. Many pastors and specialized clergy also include things such as: (1) being quiet, still, and listening for God; (2) reading the Bible; and (3) being alone. For an overwhelming majority of panelists (86% to 92%), activities such as fasting or feasting are rarely or never part of their Sabbath-keeping.
| Members | Elders | Pastors | Specialized Clergy |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 4% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
| 1-4 Hours | 57% | 51% | 31% | 39% |
| 5-9 Hours | 24% | 31% | 37% | 39% |
| 10 or More Hours | 11% | 14% | 30% | 25% |
There is broad consensus among panelists (93% to 98%) that Sabbath keeping is important for Christians. Large majorities (73% to 94%) favor the idea of the church encouraging people of faith to spend more time in the practice of Sabbath keeping, and most panelists report that they themselves are interested in increasing the amount time they set aside for Sabbath keeping. Large majorities of the panelists (67% to 94%) disagree with the following two statements: (1) "I don't feel a need for Sabbath keeping in my life"; and (2) "The idea of Sabbath keeping is out of date in our post-modern society." Somewhat fewer (49% to 60%) believe that twenty-five years from now Sunday will be less a time of Sabbath keeping in the United States generally.
It appears that Sabbath keeping is still alive and well among Presbyterians, albeit in an altered form relative to its practice in earlier American eras. A solid majority of Presbyterians include Sabbath keeping as an integral part of their Christian journey.
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