Stewardship in an Economic Downturn
Several of my pastor friends are in the midst of overseeing their first stewardship campaigns in the midst of the worse economic crisis since the great depression. Darn.
I’ve heard it said, though, that church givings tend not to go down in difficult economic times. If this is true, what might it suggest?
Do people just feel too bad about lowering a pledge to a church so they cut back on other things but not givings?
Certainly, then, people could afford to give more generously to their congregation in good economic times, right?
Does it also suggest that people tend to give not as a percentage of their income (which may be dropping or not rising as quickly as usual) but as a lump sum per month as in a membership fee?
Though congregations particularly affected by the economic crisis remain in my prayers I also remember the fact that Presbyterians give about 2.5% of their income to all charitable causes including their congregation. This statistic remains, in my estimation, a brutal indictment of our lack of generosity.
And don’t get my started on the giving rates in the Church of Scotland… 
For funzies, my first poll with the new wordpress easy poll maker is below. Hope it works!
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An interesting book is “In search of the Almighty’s Dollar”, by James Hudnut-Beumler. He tracks stewardship/church finance through American Protestantism…..and analyzed giving during the Depression, both WWs, the Great Awakening….good stuff- also details trends in stewardship themes thru the same time period-
Thanks, Nancy. I’ll add it to the list. I’m fascinated with the history of American Protestantism–hey, maybe I should take a course in it. Wonder who might teach it, though.
I’d like to know where you got your 2.5% figure and whether it is verifiable. If so, it probably is about the same for any main line denomination, but my guess is that it has to be a SWAG estimate.
Good question, Steven. I’ve seen several lists from PC(USA) sources that list all the denominations and their giving rates. Anyone have that available online?
Here’s something, though, generally related:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/march5/9.21.html
People are looking for a reason to give. Tell them that you need them more than ever, and they will respond. Also, make sure they understand (and feel) that the Church is important. Otherwise, why give? In summary, we need your stewardship over all the God has given – it is important. Hopefully they will respond and understand that it is a blessing to give.
I’m three years out of seminary. Here, some folks perceived to be big givers passed away, and people wondered how long until the doors had to be closed. But, in calling a new pastor, the people had hope, and decided to step up their giving. And thus, the budget has continued to be exceeded each year.
One thing that may not show up in the 2.5% is that some give quite a bit to the Church through their wills.
We won’t know the results of our campaign for a few more weeks, but I am cautiously optimistic for a few reasons.
1. Our local NPR pledge drive didn’t just meet their goal–they exceeded it.
2. Weekly receipts have been holding steady since the crisis really came to the surface last month.
My first stewardship sermon is on my blog.
Interesting reading…………Personally, when I attend church services, I tend to give the same dollar amount, regardless of what is going on at home. And, too, I give always give $2 to each of my children, to put inside the basket, as it is passed down the row. I had never considered to give more, when things were prosperous.
Thanks for the link to your site.