In April, Leadership Network released a publication entitled How the Economic Slump is (or Isn’t) Hitting Churches. This resource is unique in that it reports Leadership Network’s survey research conducted in 2008 and 2009 and also summarizes the results of other research on church economics.
A few of the findings reported include:
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Churches are doing better than the national economy, including other non-profit organizations.
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Congregations that are growing are impacted the least by the recession.
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Different parts of the country are impacted in various ways. Congregations in the “sand states” (FL, AZ, NV, CA) are hit the worst, followed by congregations in the “rust states” (MI, IN, OH).
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Little evidence indicates that economic hard times have resulted in a sustainable surge in church attendance.
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A survey by the National Association of Church Business Administrators indicates that cost cutting measures by congregations include “frozen and reduced staff benefits” (47%); “postponed a major capital project” (26%); and “higher thermostat settings” (26%). Sixteen percent (16%) reported they had to let some staff go.
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Congregations are experiencing more requests for financial assistance from members of the community and members of their own congregation.
A survey of 1000 churches conducted by Brian Kluth in January of 2009, as reported in How the Economic Slump is (or Isn’t) Hitting Churches, indicates a variety of things congregations are doing in response to the economic downturn. These include:
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Budgeting with more caution
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Improving the transparency of their financial processes
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Offering programs to help congregants manage their personal finances
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Providing sermons and classes on finances and generosity
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Increasing their benevolent giving
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Developing job networks
While the above resource provides a snapshot of the impact of the current economy on congregations and, to a certain extent, reveals what congregations are already doing, another excellent resource provides articles that prompt congregations to think, discuss and take action during this recession.
Responding to Recession is a downloadable resource available for a fee from BuildingChurchLeaders. As is typical of BuildingChurchLeaders resources, Responding to Recession is a set of short articles designed to be copied, distributed and discussed during a meeting of congregational leaders. The articles in this packet include:
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Living and Serving by Faith: How One Pastor is Preaching Hope and Reaching Out to a Needy Community an interview with Kevin McBride
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What your Congregation Needs to Hear: How Not-for-Profits are Relating to Supporters During These Hard Times by Anonymous
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The Recession-Proof Church: Creating a Culture of Generosity in a Climate of Fear by Patrick Johnson and Jim Sheppard
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When the Budget Starts Falling Short: Ways to Help Keep Your Staff and Ministries Intact by Pat Hail
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Ready to Respond: Ideas for How Your Church Can Bless Those Hit by the Recession by Tom Sine
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Turning Your Church into a Network for Job Seekers by Bob Dick
Each of the articles is followed by several discussion questions and a short assessment tool that measures how well the participating leaders perceive their congregation rates on qualities that are highlighted in the article.
Both of the resources cited above – How the Economic Slump is (or Isn’t) Hitting Churches and Responding to Recession – are useful for helping congregational leaders think strategically about the impact of the economic downturn and their response to it.
Nancy DeMott
Resource Director
