A recent survey conducted by NationalChristianPoll.com for Christianity Today International’s Your Church Media Group reveals how the recession is impacting churches and how they are handling current economic conditions. According to the survey, 40% of those polled said that the recession has caused weekly giving to drop by at least 2%, while just 9% say that weekly giving has increased by at least 2%. One-third of those polled estimate that giving has not changed despite the current economic downturn.
Here’s a look at where churches are getting their income:
• Nearly all churches depend on tithes and offerings as one of their church’s principal sources of income.
• One-third of churches’ say all of their principal sources of income are from tithes and offerings.
• 35% of churches rely on investments as a main source of income.
• 24% of churches rely on special campaigns as one of their church’s principal sources of income.
• 20% of churches rely on rental or lease income.
• 18% of churches rely on net income from ancillary programs/ministries as one of their primary income sources.
• 11% of churches rely on denominational and/or missions support as one of their church’s key income sources
• 9% of churches rely on “other” sources as one of their church’s principal sources of income.
So how are churches responding to this change in income? Interestingly enough, three out of four say that they do not feel any affects of the recession. Those that are taking action are most commonly turning to salary freezes. Three in ten churches have decided to issue a salary freeze. Other churches are instituting hiring freezes, pay cuts and layoffs.