ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FREQUENCY OF PASTORS’ SERMONS ON MONEY AND THEIR FINANCIAL ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR

There have been studies that have explored pastors’ lives such as pastors’ mental health, stress, burnout, and relational issues with family and congregation. However, there have been few studies on pastors’ financial issues because relating money to their sacred calling was considered taboo traditionally. This study examines whether the frequency of pastors’ sermons on money in their churches is related to their financial attitudes and behavior. For the study, we collected survey data from churches around the top 20 cities in Southern California. Our results show that the frequency of money-related sermons is positively associated with the level of pastors’ belief that stock investment is gambling. However, the frequency of money-related sermons has no relationship with pastors’ retirement savings, their financial satisfaction on retirement, and financial knowledge. The results imply that determinants of the frequency of pastors’ sermons on money are affected more by pastors’ philosophy than their financial status.