Economic trouble has come to churches & their congregations

A rapidly growing percent of churches may be sliding into economic difficulty, judging from the results of a February survey by the National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA).

Church mission activity cutbacks have more than doubled in the past six months, keeping pace with other economy-related financial difficulties, found the NACBA survey of 800 churches in the U.S. and Canada.

The percent curtailing mission activities more than doubled from 10% in August, 2008, to 24% in February, 2009. So did the percent who said "their church was definitely having economy-related financial difficulties," which more than doubled from 14% in August to 32% in February.

Fully 47% said staff benefits had been frozen or cut at their church, which was more than double the 18% reported in August.

Similarly, "20 percent said they had staff layoffs, and 26 percent reported postponing a major capital project."

Despite those cautionary numbers, most churches are apparently still is good shape. In response to questions on the same survey, 63 percent "said their church saw giving stay the same or climb in 2008 over the previous year. "

“I think we are starting to see more pain felt -- although nothing like in the private sector,” NACBA deputy chief executive and a veteran Baptist church administrator Phil Martin told the Associated Baptist Press. He noted that regional economic differences are having an impact on how churches fare from region to region.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced last week that starting March 1, it would cut spending by 20 percent, cut partner funding by 30 percent, cut staff salaries by one percent and implement other cutbacks in anticipation of "worst-case" economic outcomes.

In Sioux City, Iowa, the economy forced 120-year-old Our Savior's Lutheran Church to close its doors. The church held its final service Sunday, with a special luncheon afterward.

Sundaythe Rev. Deb Kociban's at First United Methodist Church in McKeesport, Penn., prayed, "We are anxious, Lord. Help us to set aside the things that are bothering us."

The Pittsburg Tribune-Review wrote:

One by one, congregants raised their hands when she asked if they knew someone in need of individual prayer because of illness, family struggles, lost jobs or other difficulties.

Tony Cartledge found in it all, as faithful men often do, hope:

Successful dieters rejoice when they can tighten their belts and exercise longer. Perhaps some serious revisiting of vision and resources can lead churches and organizations to develop leaner, broader based, and more effective ministries.

Perhaps those of us who survive will do so personally as well.