A study of determinants of giving among churches affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association of America

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative multiple regression study was to examine the relationship between per capita giving and church size, annual stewardship emphasis, stewardship training, offering envelope distribution method, time of receiving offering, frequency of distributing contribution statements, membership orientation, and electronic options of giving among churches affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA) of America. Through a simple random sample, 600 BMA of America churches were chosen to participate in the study. Data collection involved a survey instrument validated through an expert panel and pilot study. The data was analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The study found none of the independent variables to be statistically significant predictors of per capita giving, R² = .06, F(8, 164) = 1.33, p = .234. Through an exploratory measure, the researcher replaced per capita giving with total undesignated receipts. The church size variable was omitted due to high correlation with the criterion variable. The exploratory measure testing the relationship between total undesignated receipts and the seven congregational practices resulted in a valid regression model, R² = .34, F(7, 163) = 11.71, p < .005. Individual predictors that were statistically significant included stewardship training, offering envelope distribution method, and frequency of distributing contribution statements. Three primary conclusions evolved from the study. First, per capita giving is not a good standard of measurement when comparing across churches. Second, there is a relationship between congregational stewardship practices and increased income. Third, unidentified factors beyond stewardship practices serve as a major impetus to giving among members of BMA of America churches.

Keywords: Baptist, determinants, giving, leadership, stewardship.