The financial hardships many Americans faced during the COVID-19 pandemic did not result in the predicted revenue declines for U.S. churches, according to new research into congregational giving trends. In fact, the study conducted by the Lake Institute on Faith…
In second year of pandemic uncertainty, church leaders are watching year-end giving closely
With just three Sundays left in the year, it’s once again make-or-break time for most church budgets. And in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid noteworthy signs of inflation nationally, there are more questions than answers about how…
Despite COVID, ‘worst-case scenario’ did not emerge for church finances
Eleven months after the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the closing of churches and synagogues nationwide, faith communities of all stripes have stepped into the new year with new goals and expectations for how to fund and conduct their ministries and…
With five weeks remaining in this bizarre year, churches hope to finish well fiscally
While stuffed Americans put away the Thanksgiving leftovers and turn to the online Black Friday shopping ritual, houses of worship are hoping their members will drop by their websites as well. As the year of COVID approaches its first end,…
Congregations on mission and online doing better financially amid COVID
Six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial news from America’s religious congregations is not as dire as first predicted. Still, while some churches survive and even thrive, others struggle. “In March we were readying up to help churches think…
As major employers, churches help the economy with PPP loans
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented American congregations with all manner of unprecedented decisions and dilemmas, including whether to accept government money to meet payrolls. But faced with decreased revenues, many churches have done just that — even while acknowledging the…