| | | | | | | | | | | | PRACTICAL WISDOM FOR LEADING CONGREGATIONS |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Congregations courageous enough to talk openly about money are more likely to see their revenue streams grow than those that treat the topic as taboo, according to the recently released National Study of Congregations' Economic Practices, the largest nationally representative survey of congregational finances in a generation.
The study, conducted by the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI, examined the practices of receiving, managing and spending financial resources in 1,231 U.S. congregations between 2014 and 2017.
Among the study's key findings: Higher percentages of black Protestant congregations reported growth in participation (62%) and giving (59%) over the three-year period than any other group.With respect to generational age, congregations with majorities of baby boomers and Gen Xers reported the greatest growth in revenue, while the few congregations with majority millennials (2%) were the most likely to experience decreases in size (74%) and revenue (68%).The newest congregations -- those established after 2000 -- reported the most growth in both size and revenue, with 66% reporting increases in membership and 69% reporting increases in revenue.Thirty-five percent of congregations reported a decrease in revenue over the study's three-year focus period, with more Catholic (56%) and mainline Protestant (38%) congregations noting that trend than others.Forty-eight percent of respondents reported an increase in revenue between 2014 and 2017, even though only 39% reported an increase in membership.
But significantly, that revenue growth was more prevalent among congregations that regularly discussed the theological importance of giving, whether through biblical passages, sermons or personal testimonies.
Read more about the National Study of Congregations' Economic Practices » |
Even though they couldn't make the mortgage, Edgar Villanueva's church gave. They took on significant risks, supporting missionaries, responding to natural disasters, helping hungry families.
They felt called to make major investments in the community, so they did. Even though it was scary, God always just provided, Villanueva said. It was biblical, he said, to continue toward their calling and trust that things were going to be OK.
"Helping generate wealth in diverse communities is one of the greatest things that churches can do," Villanueva said.
A registered member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Villanueva was first introduced to giving and selflessness through his mother, who did outreach for her church in the time between her several labor-intensive domestic jobs. She was passionate about getting people to church, especially kids, he said.
Villanueva is now a leading expert in global philanthropy and serves as the vice president of programs and advocacy at the Schott Foundation for Public Education. He is the author of "Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance."
Villanueva spoke to our colleagues at Faith & Leadership about philanthropy and how the church can better engage with wealth.
Read the interview » |
| | FROM OUR ARCHIVE: MONEY & STEWARDSHIP |
Is finding leaders for your congregational stewardship ministry more of a chore than a joy? Is lack of leadership limiting your stewardship ministry to your annual funding appeal? Perhaps it's time to take a fresh look at your stewardship ministry team structure.
Read more from Marcia Shetler » |
Instead of being uncomfortable with the task of raising money, Christian institutional leaders should embrace it as an essential part of their work and ministry, the author of a book on fundraising, philanthropy and spirituality says in this interview.
Read more from Kerry Robinson » |
Offerings of the Heart: Money and Values in Faith Communities by Rabbi Shawn Israel Zevit
Nadiv Lev. "Offerings of the Heart." This phrase sets the tone for the Jewish spiritual perspective that money is a tool for actualizing God's presence in the world.
Building on this core value and setting aside the financial/spiritual split with which many congregational leaders operate, Rabbi Shawn Zevit brings the depth and breadth of Jewish teachings on money and the spiritual life to all faith communities. This book provides texts and tools to help clergy, staff, and lay leaders of congregations of any faith approach financial and other resources as core means to build and maintain whole and holy lives in a communal setting. Zevit demonstrates how faith communities can create values-based approaches to developing and managing financial and human resources that are rooted in the very sacred traditions, principles, and impulses that bring us together.
"Rabbi Shawn Zevit has gathered much of the wisdom of the Jewish community learned through four millennia of life with God. He shows us the rich thought and experience Hebrew scriptures and traditions contribute for all who seek to be faithful in the use of money in their communities. A deep understanding of generosity and giving is brought to bear on the practicalities of budgets, planning, and reaching out in deeds of justice and mercy." -- Loren B. Mead, founding president, The Alban Institute
Learn more and order the book » |
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