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I wonder if young believers sense or see the effects of the economy on the finances of churches. Many congregants struggle, but do they understand how their churches struggle to pay the bills and meet payroll? Here is what the Barna Group reports on church stewardship:
Like many other sectors, pastors and church executives admit that churches are feeling the results of the economic pinch, though for most congregations it has not been severe so far. Overall, 57% of pastors said the economy has negatively impacted their church over the last year. Still, only 8% of leaders said the effect was “very negative.” About one-third of leaders (35%) describe their churches as unaffected by the economy, while one of 11 churches (9%) defied the odds and described the last year as financially positive.
Across all Protestant churches, budgets are down about 7% from a year ago, though that indicator masks extremes. The typical “down” church has lost, on average, 14% of its budget. Among those churches with contracting income, smaller churches were the hardest hit: churches of 100 or fewer adults who had shrinking revenue had lost 16%; those with 100 to 250 adults were off by 13%; churches with 251-999 adults were down 11%; and churches of 1,000 or more adults were down 9%.
Some churches have been even more significantly hurt by the economy than others: one out of every 11 churches (9%) has lost 20% or more of their budget from 12 months ago. Within that proportion are 2% of churches with incomes off by 35% or more. Among the rare churches that have grown financially, the average annual budget increase was 10%.
I want to make a few suggestions to church staff members (yes, that means pastors and ministers) that may help improve stewardship in their churches:
1. Adopt a June 30 yearend. This gives you a chance to promote giving toward the budget not just at the end of the calendar year, but in the spring of the year as well.
2. Find a cause that is bigger than you are and challenge your people. I believe the next generation appreciates a challenge. This especially relates to money and doing important ministry stuff.
3. Engage more people in missions. Missions opens the heart to giving like no other aspect of ministry.
4. Adopt an assimilation strategy that includes stewardship education.
5. Make sure people know all the ways they can give to the church, whether by check, online, credit or debit card, etc.
6. Put a phrase about stewardship in your mission statement.
7. Communicate better.
8. Answer phone calls and e-mails.
9. Visit people from the church, not only when they are sick.
10. Renew contacts with lapsed members.
11. Do not show favoritism (this is biblical).
12. Say thanks a whole lot.
Twelve is a good number to stop at. These twelve suggestions are easy to adopt and should move you toward improved stewardship in the church. Remember the next generation appreciates authenticity. You may need to take a long hard look at yourself, pastor, and see where you line up with these suggestions. Be genuine, be authentic, and be consistent.
Related Articles
- Improving Stewardship in Your Parish (palamas.info)
- The Problem with Pastor as Rock Star (challies.com)
Great article. I agree with everything you read here. I would like to congratulate the writer and encouraged him to continue writing such valuable materials. Good luck for the next.
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