The post Online Romance appeared first on Pew Research Center.

A growing number of governments around the world are considering whether to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. So far, 30 countries and territories have enacted national laws allowing gays and lesbians to marry, mostly in Europe and the Americas. In Mexico, some jurisdictions allow same-sex couples to wed, while others do not. Below is […]

The post Same-Sex Marriage Around the World appeared first on Pew Research Center.

In 1969, a team of UCLA graduate students led by professor Leonard Kleinrock connected computer-to-computer with a team at the Stanford Research Institute. It was the first host-to-host communication of ARPANET, the early packet-switching network that was the precursor to today’s multibillion-host internet. Heading into the network’s 50th anniversary, Pew Research Center and Elon University’s […]

The post Shareable quotes from experts about the next 50 years of digital life appeared first on Pew Research Center.

Fifty years after the first computer network was connected, most experts say digital life will mostly change things for the better in coming decades. But they say this will require reforms toward better cooperation and security, basic rights and economic fairness.

The post Experts Optimistic About the Next 50 Years of Digital Life appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The expert predictions reported here about the impact of the internet over the next 50 years came in response to questions asked by Pew Research Center and Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center in an online canvassing conducted between July 4, 2018, and Aug. 6, 2018. This is the 10th Future of the Internet study […]

The post About this canvassing of experts appeared first on Pew Research Center.

We are extremely thankful for the contributions of the people who participated in this canvassing. This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Primary researchers Kathleen Stansberry, Research Director, Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center Janna Anderson, Director, Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center Lee Rainie, Director, […]

The post Acknowledgments appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The comments in the following section are a sharp contrast to the utopian visions of equity and advancement described above. Whereas some see the future of the internet as a great equalizer, others warn that technology can just as easily be used for control and exploitation. Inequality on the rise: The growing divide between haves […]

The post 5. Leading concerns about the future of digital life appeared first on Pew Research Center.

A large share of respondents predict enormous potential for improved quality of life over the next 50 years for most individuals thanks to internet connectivity, although many said the benefits of a wired world are not likely to be evenly distributed. Andrew Tutt, an expert in law and author of “An FDA for Algorithms,” said, […]

The post 4. The internet will continue to make life better appeared first on Pew Research Center.

People who have had the internet at their fingertips since birth can find it difficult to imagine a world in which information and communication are not readily available with a quick click or swipe or voice command to a phone. The following insights come from respected pioneers – many of them inductees to the Internet […]

The post 2. Internet pioneers imagine the next 50 years appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The following sections share selections of comments from technology experts and futurists who elaborate on the ways internet use has shaped humanity over the past 50 years and consider the potential future of digital life. They are gathered under broad, overarching ideas, rather than being tied to the specific themes highlighted above. Many of the […]

The post 3. Humanity is at a precipice; its future is at stake appeared first on Pew Research Center.

When the 530 participants in this study shared wide-ranging insights about the future, most of their responses were tied to hopes and concerns over human evolution in light of technological change. A share of their comments referred to technological advances such as brain-computer interfaces, virtual immersive experiences that will teach and entertain users, pervasive connectivity […]

The post 1. Themes about the next 50 years of life online appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The Connected Generation project launched with Faith for the Future, a live, free event where leaders from Barna and World Vision revealed the main findings—some sobering, some hopeful—uncovered by this global study. The team was joined by panels of experts and ministers, as well as viewers from 88 countries and six continents.

A key finding highlighted in the study is that only one in three young people (32%) says that “someone believes in me.” Below, read responses from some of the leaders who joined Barna during the webcast—available as a free replay until Nov. 1—as they speak into this astonishing statistic, share stories from personal experience and offer valuable applications for the Church.

Faith Leaders Comment on the Findings
“For me, that’s been one of the key things about my life is that at different points, older, wiser people have invested in me, said they believed in me and actually taken a risk on me. And that’s the reason I’m here today really, is that people have invested in me and taken a risk on me …

“One of the things I fear about the Church is that, generally speaking, the Church will naturally go up in age and inward in focus. And it’s only intentionally that it will downward in age and outward in focus. So, we want to go down and out, not up and in. And one of the ways that we can do that is by spotting and raising up and releasing people into their leadership potential.

“[Millennials] and Gen Z, they want to be involved, they want to be part of it, they’re open to engaging with the Church. But they want to have responsibility, they want to have ownership and they want to feel like they belong. And that’s an opportunity, I think, for the Church to not just criticize this generation and go after them, but to actually call out the best in them and help them to thrive and succeed.” –Stephen Foster, UK National Director at Alpha International

“That statistic is staggering, but I also can understand why it’s true because the man that mentored me and stepped into my life, I had to chase him. He was the director of one of the largest youth theater companies in the world, … his name was Freddie Hendricks. He was the first man, besides my father, that really let me know that greatness was available for me, that I had worth and that God could use my life to do some incredible things.” –Sam Collier, Communicator & Author

“I’ve been gifted with a lot of people who saw me differently than dominant culture. So that began with the woman from the Salvation Army who saw me—I was a juvenile delinquent addicted to crack with a massive attitude and a criminal record—and she kind of went all the way through all of those barriers and saw, I guess, Jesus in me, saw sacredness in me and called it out. And that led to an encounter I had with Jesus where I suddenly saw that God was for me and not against me. It wasn’t a long laborsome connection—it was really just someone who saw sacredness in me…” –Danielle Strickland, Speaker, Author & Social Justice Advocate

“I had many people who believed in me and I think that was the problem because by the time I got to college, they started to die and the circle of people who believed in me got a lot smaller. I was blessed enough to have a number of people, but it was very scary to see that my circle was shrinking. What does it mean to go from having eight people who have your back and love you, believe in you and want to see the best in you, to having six, and then four? And the more it shrank, the more I was freaked out.

“I had to realize that you have to build some relationships that aren’t going to be so organic. Like, every now and then, you might have to hunt someone down … and you have to actually go out there and create [relationships] and I think that’s difficult for Millennials. We have a hard time thinking we have to risk or put ourselves out there, possibly even be embarrassed behind getting someone to believe in us. So, I think the fact that we actually have to put in some work might really contribute to that [statistic].” –Rev. Brianna Parker, Founder & Curator of the Black Millennial Café

If you missed the webcast, are interested in viewing it again or want to share it with a friend, visit theconnectedgeneration.com to watch the free replay, only available until November 1.

The post Who Believed in You? Leaders Tell Barna About Their Mentors appeared first on Barna Group.

The Connected Generation project launched with Faith for the Future, a live, free event where leaders from Barna and World Vision revealed the main findings—some sobering, some hopeful—uncovered by this global study. The team was joined by panels of experts and ministers, as well as viewers from 88 countries and six continents.

A key finding highlighted in the study is that only one in three young people (32%) says that “someone believes in me.” Below, read responses from some of the leaders who joined Barna during the webcast—available as a free replay until Nov. 1—as they speak into this astonishing statistic, share stories from personal experience and offer valuable applications for the Church.

Faith Leaders Comment on the Findings
“For me, that’s been one of the key things about my life is that at different points, older, wiser people have invested in me, said they believed in me and actually taken a risk on me. And that’s the reason I’m here today really, is that people have invested in me and taken a risk on me …

“One of the things I fear about the Church is that, generally speaking, the Church will naturally go up in age and inward in focus. And it’s only intentionally that it will downward in age and outward in focus. So, we want to go down and out, not up and in. And one of the ways that we can do that is by spotting and raising up and releasing people into their leadership potential.

“[Millennials] and Gen Z, they want to be involved, they want to be part of it, they’re open to engaging with the Church. But they want to have responsibility, they want to have ownership and they want to feel like they belong. And that’s an opportunity, I think, for the Church to not just criticize this generation and go after them, but to actually call out the best in them and help them to thrive and succeed.” –Stephen Foster, UK National Director at Alpha International

“That statistic is staggering, but I also can understand why it’s true because the man that mentored me and stepped into my life, I had to chase him. He was the director of one of the largest youth theater companies in the world, … his name was Freddie Hendricks. He was the first man, besides my father, that really let me know that greatness was available for me, that I had worth and that God could use my life to do some incredible things.” –Sam Collier, Communicator & Author

“I’ve been gifted with a lot of people who saw me differently than dominant culture. So that began with the woman from the Salvation Army who saw me—I was a juvenile delinquent addicted to crack with a massive attitude and a criminal record—and she kind of went all the way through all of those barriers and saw, I guess, Jesus in me, saw sacredness in me and called it out. And that led to an encounter I had with Jesus where I suddenly saw that God was for me and not against me. It wasn’t a long laborsome connection—it was really just someone who saw sacredness in me…” –Danielle Strickland, Speaker, Author & Social Justice Advocate

“I had many people who believed in me and I think that was the problem because by the time I got to college, they started to die and the circle of people who believed in me got a lot smaller. I was blessed enough to have a number of people, but it was very scary to see that my circle was shrinking. What does it mean to go from having eight people who have your back and love you, believe in you and want to see the best in you, to having six, and then four? And the more it shrank, the more I was freaked out.

“I had to realize that you have to build some relationships that aren’t going to be so organic. Like, every now and then, you might have to hunt someone down … and you have to actually go out there and create [relationships] and I think that’s difficult for Millennials. We have a hard time thinking we have to risk or put ourselves out there, possibly even be embarrassed behind getting someone to believe in us. So, I think the fact that we actually have to put in some work might really contribute to that [statistic].” –Rev. Brianna Parker, Founder & Curator of the Black Millennial Café

If you missed the webcast, are interested in viewing it again or want to share it with a friend, visit theconnectedgeneration.com to watch the free replay, only available until November 1.

The post Who Believed in You? Leaders Tell Barna About Their Mentors appeared first on Barna Group.

The post Food insecurity in Australia? More than 1 in 5 Aussies have not had enough to eat in the last year appeared first on McCrindle.

Test your knowledge by taking our 10-question quiz, then compare your score with other Americans who took the survey.

The post Digital Knowledge Quiz appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The findings of this analysis paint a nuanced picture of just how prevalent political speech is among U.S. adults on Twitter.

The post National Politics on Twitter: Small Share of U.S. Adults Produce Majority of Tweets appeared first on Pew Research Center.

This report is made possible by The Pew Charitable Trusts. It is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Primary researchers Adam Hughes, Associate Director, Research Brad Jones, Research Associate Alec Tyson, Senior Researcher Emma Remy, Data Science Assistant Aaron Smith, Director, Data Labs Research team Patrick van Kessel, […]

The post Acknowledgments appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The analysis of Twitter users in this report is based on a nationally representative survey conducted from Nov. 21 to Dec. 17, 2018, among a sample of 2,791 U.S. adults ages 18 years and older who have a Twitter account and agreed to allow researchers to follow and report on that account. This study examines […]

The post Methodology appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The post Appendix: Demographic profiles of Twitter user types appeared first on Pew Research Center.

By Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Most retirement age pastors and missionaries say their current life is close to ideal, but some who have entered retirement say they could’ve been better prepared.

In a survey sponsored by Shepherd’s Fold Ministries, Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked 2,451 pastors, ministers and missionaries who were retired or at least 67 years old about their life, health, relationships, reflections on ministry, and how they’ve adjusted to their current life stage.

“Our number one goal is to provide relevant resources to help retired ministers,” said Brent Van Hook, director of Shepherd’s Fold Ministries. “The results of this study show specific ways retired ministers can experience genuine higher well-being related to social, spiritual, physical and financial health.”

Out of those ministers or missionaries surveyed, 8 in 10 (81%) are currently retired or mostly retired. Around half (52%) have been in ministry 40 years or longer, with 35% serving 40 to 49 years and 17% serving 50 years or more.

The vast majority think fondly about their previous ministry. More than 9 in 10 (92%) say they are satisfied with their ministry efforts before retirement, with 59% saying they are very satisfied.

When asked about their feelings toward the churches or mission field where they served, around 8 in 10 (79%) say they feel thankful. More than half say love (59%), proud of them (53%), or rewarded (52%). Slightly fewer say encouraged (48%) or connected (43%).

Few retirement age pastors or missionaries say they feel disappointed (16%), disconnected (16%), betrayed (8%) or bitter (2%).

When asked to think about their overall life today, including relationships, spiritual health, finances and physical health, 3 in 4 (74%) agree their life is close to ideal in most ways.

Similar numbers describe their current life conditions as excellent (76%), while more than 8 in 10 (86%) say they are satisfied with their life today.

“These three questions were used to create a life satisfaction score,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “Analysis revealed the characteristics that predict higher life satisfaction include being in better health, satisfaction with ministry efforts, positive feelings about where they served, financial stability for retirement, and current relationships.”

Physical health

In describing their overall health, 72% say they are active and healthy, while 14% say they have physical disabilities that limit them, and 12% say their spouse has such limitations.

Fewer retirement age ministers say their spouse has been diagnosed with a mental illness like depression, dementia or Alzheimer’s (5%), they spend significant amount of their time caring for the health of someone with disabilities (5%), or have been diagnosed with a mental illness themselves (3%).

Around 4 in 10 (41%) agree having more help with their own health or the health of someone they care for would help at least a little.

Retirement age ministers are most likely to say information, tips and best practices for maintaining good health would help the most (25%), along with financial assistance (21%), and Medicare supplementary insurance (19%).

“While many retire from ministry in good health, aging brings with it healthcare needs for pastors and missionaries,” said McConnell. “Some are sidelined by health needs, and others could use financial help for medical care.”

Relationships

Most older pastors, ministers and missionaries say they have close relationships that allow them to share problems, but some may be facing loneliness.

Among those who are currently married, 93% say their spouse is very satisfied with their marriage.

When asked about meeting with someone at least once a month to openly share struggles, 61% of those surveyed say they talk with their spouse. A third (33%) meet with a close friend, 19% talk to a Bible study group in their church, and 3% meet with a counselor.

A quarter (26%), however, say they don’t regularly meet and share with any of these.

Around 7 in 10 (69%) say they have at least three close friends with whom they see or speak with at least once a month, with 17% saying they have 10 or more.

Still, 21% say they see or talk to one or two friends, and 10% say they don’t have any friends outside of family that they meet with at least once a month.

The vast majority say they have continued to make new friends in recent years (86%) and have many close relationships at their current church (68%). Still, 29% say they often feel lonely or isolated.

Most (58%) say they currently live near their children, 42% live near most of their friends, but 22% say they don’t live near either.

Around half (48%) agree if they had more help connecting with new friends it would help improve their overall well-being at least a little. A quarter (25%) say it would not help at all.

More retirement age ministers say they would benefit from making friends who have had a similar experience in ministry (25%), making friends who live near them (23%), and relating to a church in which they are not in leadership (20%).

“Retirement sometimes means separation from past friends,” said McConnell. “It’s important to continue to invest in new relationships.”

Finances

Three-quarters (76%) of retirement age ministers are confident they will have enough money to live comfortably through retirement, with 31% saying they are very confident.

Still, almost half (47%) say they are often concerned about the financial security of their family and 27% say their physical needs or those of their spouse have caused significant financial strain.

More than half (55%) say their household’s current annual income is less than $60,000. Slightly more than a third (36%) have less than $100,000 in retirement savings.

Virtually all retired ministers (94%) receive Social Security benefits. Around 3 in 5 (59%) have a pension plan with their current or former employer.

Four in 5 (81%) say they currently live in a residence they own, while 10% rent, 3% live in a residence provided by a church or ministry, 3% live with family and 1% live in an assisted living facility.

Three in 5 (59%) say they currently have some form of debt, the most common being a mortgage (37%), a car loan (27%) or credit card debt (20%).

Of those with a mortgage, 42% have 20 years or more left on the loan. Around 3 in 10 (29%) say they have 10 to 19 years. The same (29%) say they have nine years or less.

Those who have debt were asked how much debt their household has outside of their mortgage. A quarter (25%) say they have no non-mortgage debt and an additional 53% say they have less than $30,000, including 28% having less than $10,000.

Some retired pastors, however, say they have substantial non-mortgage debt. Around 1 in 7 (15%) say they have at least $30,000 in debt, including 4% saying theirs is at least $100,000.

Almost 3 in 5 (58%) say if they had help with their finances it would improve their overall well-being at least a little.

Retirement age pastors and missionaries are most likely to say they need help managing retirement funds (22%), finding work suitable for retired ministers (17%) or learning how to stretch their current resources (16%).

“The fact that most pastors and missionaries feel financially ready for retirement doesn’t negate the fact that a quarter are not in a good position,” said McConnell. “Health issues have complicated the financial picture for many of those with financial strains.”

Preparation for retirement

Among those who are currently retired, 76% say they were prepared for the adjustment to retirement. Seven in 10 (70%) say the transition was easy.

The most common approaches to preparing for the transition were speaking with others who had retired (46%), reading articles on the topic (42%), or attending a retreat or conference for those nearing retirement from ministry (26%). One in 5 (20%) say they did not prepare for the transition at all.

Still, 33% say they have struggled with the adjustment, and 28% feel they lack purpose since they retired from the ministry.

Almost 2 in 5 (39%) say they have had to rethink their sense of value and worth since retiring and 27% say that retirement forced them to think about their value to God.

When asked an open-ended question about what advice they would give those retiring from the ministry in the future, those currently at retirement age most frequently said to save and plan financially (13%), plan ahead (10%), enjoy and embrace retirement (8%), be prepared (7%), find opportunities to volunteer or serve (6%), stay active (4%), trust God (4%), pray (4%) and develop interests or hobbies (3%).

Shepherd’s Fold Ministries’ Van Hook said the number one advice they would give to those planning for retirement from the ministry would be, “Don’t do nothing.

“We learned that just a little bit of action goes a long, long way toward increasing long-term well-being,” said Van Hook. “You’re in this ministry for the long haul, why not invest in your long-term well-being? Momentum builds quickly, so do something today.”

Retirement age ministers also volunteered some ways ministries can best help those like themselves, such as opportunities to serve or minister (16%), a pension or retirement plan (7%), financial planning or assistance (5%), include them (5%), offer seminars, workshops or retreats (4%), opportunities to stay active (4%), keep in touch with them (4%), offer encouragement (3%), show appreciation or recognize them (3%) and provide resources (3%).

For churches and ministries looking to better serve retired and retiring pastors and missionaries, Van Hook said there are two primary ways they can reach out.

“The first way is to partner with the growing number of ministries and resource centers that exist to help retired ministers,” he said. “Secondly, simply communicate with retired ministers and listen. Those actions will go a long way to making them feel appreciated.”

Aaron Earls is online editor of Facts & Trends and a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources.

Methodology:
The online survey of retired Protestant pastors, ministers and missionaries was conducted June 11- July 23, 2019. The study was sponsored by Shepherd’s Fold Ministries.

Invitations were emailed to retirees and those of retirement age using lists from the following organizations: Assemblies of God, Baptist Missionary Association of America, Church of the Brethren, Church of the Nazarene, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wesleyan Church, Operation Mobilization, OMF International, One Mission Society, WEC International, and Wycliffe. Reminder emails were also sent. Respondents were screened to include those who had served as a pastor of a church, other minister in a church, or missionary and are retired or of retirement age (67+).

Quotas and slight weights were used to balance denominational/organizational affiliation based on the number of eligible retirees. The completed sample is 2,451 surveys.

Download the research