The Barna Group‘s latest research suggests that the current economic crisis continues to impact how much Christians contribute to their local congregations. In short:
In the immediate aftermath of the economic crisis in late 2008, two out of 10 Americans (20%) had reduced their giving to a church or religious center; three out of 10 (31%) had downsized their giving to other nonprofits. Then, 14 months later, in January of 2010, both measures had increased: three in 10 adults had reduced giving to churches (29%) and nearly half said they had curtailed their generosity to other nonprofits (48%). Based on the latest research from Barna, conducted in April 2011, the percentage of those who are reducing their giving to churches has not abated (30%).
So What?
Barna also found that most people (71% in April 2011) believe that the recovery will take either two or three years or more than three years. The longer the economic downturn lingers the more seriously Americans must consider the possibility that this is the new normal.
- Adjusting for increases or decreases in membership and inflation, what percentage decrease (or increase) has your local congregation’s budget experienced in actual receipts in calendar 2008, 2009 and 2010 when those years are compared to 2007?
- If your congregation’s budget is down significantly, what budgetary items have been impacted most significantly? How has working with a leaner budget helped your congregation refocus on its mission?
- What is your congregation doing to help its members and those in the surrounding community who have been adversely impacted by the downturn?