Church Finance

“While young adults have been found to be more generous with their time volunteering than older generations, just over half of pastors say they’re ‘very concerned’ that younger Christians don’t support their local churches financially” - CPost

Among U.S. Protestant pastors, “50% say the current economy is negatively impacting their churches.” No effect: 40%; positive effect 8%. - Lifeway

“Baptist (40%), Presbyterian/Reformed (34%) and non-denominational (34%) churches were more likely to give 10% of their income than members of Lutheran (19%), Restorationist Movement (17%) and Methodist churches (12%).” - CPost

“There’s an important asymmetry here. Paul exhorts churches to support their elders, but he exhorts all Christians to emulate him in serving free of charge.” - TGC

“Compared to 2016, churches are more likely to have more than seven weeks of cash reserves. Additionally, few have had someone embezzle funds from the congregation.” - Lifeway

“Rather than analyzing the reasons for the disappearing offering plate, let’s take a look at some of the implications of this dramatic shift. There is more to it than a mere removal of a traditional element of worship service. Indeed, the change is very important.” - Thom Rainer

“the church received an email from Landmark Construction, the company overseeing the project, that included an invoice…. the church received a second email immediately after the first one that included payment instructions.” - BPNews

“it may be nearly impossible for churches to raise the salary of their pastors to account for growing expenses caused by inflation. If so, then congregations should realize that pastors have less spending power than they had a year prior.” - Wyatt Graham

“2022 marks the first time since 2016 that more than half of pastors feel the economy is having a negative impact on their churches and the first time since 2012 that fewer than 10% of pastors see the economy as having a positive effect.” - Lifeway

“the average member of my church (and I’d assume other churches as well) does not have a good idea of what an administrative pastor actually does…. At the end of the day, good administration is necessary for a healthy church.” - 9 Marks