Ministry News

Rising Above the Storm to Meet Needs

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Tuesday, 31 March 2009 10:32

When times are tough, where do people go for help? According to a recent poll of 1,000 Protestant pastors, the answer is nothing new: The majority of those in need-both Christians and nonbelievers-are turning to the church for some assistance.

LifeWay Research found that almost two-thirds of all pastors say they've seen an increase in people outside their church asking for help. In addition, 31 percent of pastors have experienced a similar surge among those within their congregations.

With media outlets reporting daily on budget cuts from virtually every industry, how are churches able to minister to such growing needs? Interestingly enough, the study found that the average church saw giving increase 4 percent in 2008, while more than a quarter of churches are currently receiving at least 10 percent more than they'd budgeted for. Overall, 71 percent of churches are either meeting or exceeding their budgets.

"While the public's faith in almost every other type of investment has crumbled, faithful givers continue to support churches," said Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research.

Among the study's other notable findings:

• 35 percent of pastors say their church staff is more cautious about trying new things that cost money.
• 40 percent of churches say they've had an unusually high number of congregants lose their jobs.
• Among pastors whose salaries dipped from last year due to the economy, 55 percent still paid for ministry items out of their own pocket.
• Only 1 percent of all pastors have seriously considered leaving the ministry as a result of the current financial crunch.

"It's easy to hunker down with what money you have left," McConnell said. "Yet Jesus Christ told His followers that giving out of your poverty is worth far more than giving out of your surplus. Pastors are living this truth. They are choosing 5-to-1 to give more out of their own pockets, rather than less, to ministry opportunities." [lifeway.com, 3/29/09]