Leadership Network recently released this report, How the Economic Slump Is (or Isn't) Hitting Churches. In an effort to get an accurate picture of the church’s current economic outlook, Leadership Network asked identical questions about the economy’s impact in surveys conducted in both 2008 and 2009. These two quotes provide a snapshot of how churches are doing:
“Overall, churches are doing better than the national economy. If the economy has pneumonia, most churches either have only a cold or are adding precautions in anticipation of a possible illness.”
“In response to the economic downturn, churches are almost universally budgeting with greater caution and increased transparency. They want their people to know they are exercising great care in financial stewardship.”
The report includes summaries of the analysis by Dr. Warren Bird, as well as references to other recent research on church economics. Click here to download the free report. By the way, he report was mentioned in The Christian Post article, "Megachurches Faring Slightly Better in Recession".
For other anecdotes, read this excerpt from a New Voice Media article by Greg Warner, “Budget cutting at church: Prudent planning or excessive anxiety?” ::
As the nation’s economic crisis seeps further into congregations, budget cuts are the order of the day. But are churches reacting more to fear than facts?
The financial pain for churches is real. But evidence is mixed about how much member giving is suffering right now and how widespread -- or necessary -- budget cutting has become.
If you listen to the conversation between pastors, however, it’s clearly the topic on top of their minds.
… The majority of churches contacted for this article -- such as Emerywood Baptist in High Point, N.C., and River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond -- have made significant budget cuts already this year, typically between 5 percent and 10 percent.
Others have cut staff and/or salaries deeply, like Wieuca Road Baptist in the upscale Buckhead area of Atlanta, which made deep 25 percent cuts in ministries and programs in 2008. After giving dropped even further, the budget axe fell on the staff. Three ministers were reduced to part-time, three more had salaries reduced …
Read the entire article at Religious Herald or Associated Baptist Press.
// DJ CHUANG, Director at Leadership Network
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