Nonprofit Financial Troubles Part III: Church Survey Shows Limited Impact So Far

The National Association of Church Business Administration recently updated the 2008 survey of its members regarding the financial situations of their churches.  While a non-scientific sample, the 2009 survey provides a snapshot of how the current economic troubles are affecting over 800 small and medium churches from a variety of Christian denominations.  Almost a third of respondents reported a non-seasonal drop in congregation financial support, while another quarter reported a slowing of support but were not sure it was the result of the recession.  Almost half the respondents also reported layoffs (16%) or staff salary freezes (32%).  Each of these figures were up from the figures reported in the 2008 survey.  Still, more than 40 percent of respondents reported continuing growth in support, and more than three-quarters said they were not curtailing or changing their mission activities because of the economy.

LHM