wfn.org | Survey: Presbyterians Not Sweating Y2K Bug

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

22-December-1999 
99435 
 
    Survey: Presbyterians Not Sweating Y2K Bug 
 
    Few are making special plans to usher in the new millennium 
 
    by Evan Silverstein 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -  Few Presbyterians expect major problems in their 
communities or churches when the year 2000 arrives next week, according to 
survey results released Dec. 22 by the Research Services office of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 
 
    Asked what type of problems, if any, they expected the transition to 
2000 to bring in their congregations, only one person in a national sample 
of 500 members and elders responded  "major."  Few expect widespread Y2K 
glitches; only 1 percent anticipate "major" or "very major" problems in 
their local communities, and only 4 percent expect "major" or "very major" 
problems in U.S. society generally. 
 
    "For most, Y2K's not even a blip on their radar screen," said Jack 
Marcum, administrator of the Presbyterian Panel. "If the world is coming to 
an end next week, Presbyterians haven't heard about it." 
 
    The results are part of a larger survey mailed in September to more 
than 6,000 members, elders, and ministers in the PC(USA) for the 
Presbyterian Panel, a quarterly national survey of Presbyterians. The 
complete results will be released next April. 
 
    Of Presbyterians asked about their plans for New Year's Eve 1999, fewer 
than one-third (29 percent) said they had made any plans to celebrate the 
arrival of 2000. Of those who said they had done some planning, about half 
(47 percent) said they will welcome the new year in a special way. 
 
    Few of their celebrations will include church: only 1 percent plan to 
attend a New Year's Eve worship service. Another 1 percent said they have 
to work that night in case Y2K computer glitches appear. Most others plan 
to attend a party with friends, spend time with family, or, in some cases, 
just stay home and do "nothing special." 
 
    Overall, one in five Presbyterians (19 percent) said they expect their 
congregations to hold New Year's Eve worship services. 

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