Posted on 11/09/2008 6:50:42 PM PST by Alex Murphy
Presbyterians call it "Dedication Sunday." Methodists call it "Commitment Sunday." Some Baptists call it "Stewardship Sunday."
Regardless of the name, the annual ritual in which church leaders ask members to commit to an annual financial donation often takes place during November.
But with the stock market reeling and the economy in a nose dive, many church leaders are bracing for the worst -- and praying for grace.
At Raleigh's White Memorial Presbyterian Church, pledges for next year are significantly lower than at this time a year ago. At Millbrook Baptist Church, plans for renovating the church offices have been frozen. And at St. Francis United Methodist Church in Cary, plans for a new community life center will most likely be postponed.
As finance committees at each of those churches cobble together a 2009 budget, they often must make educated guesses about how many members might be laid off and how many more home mortgages could go into foreclosure.
"Anybody who depends on voluntary giving is in uncharted waters," said Art Ross, pastor of White Memorial Presbyterian.
Not only are church leaders awaiting pledge cards for next year, they're wondering if they'll make this year's budget.
In many congregations, up to 30 percent of the year's donations come in between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Donations to religious congregations are tax-deductible. Members typically make end-of-the-year contributions with an eye toward April's income tax returns.
Stock incentive muted
Although church leaders say they do not foresee budget crises, they already know they won't be getting much in the way of stock transfers -- investments that members sometimes donate to their churches to avoid paying capital gains taxes. As the value of stocks has tumbled, there's less incentive to give it away.
"We're anticipating fewer stock gifts, because capital gains won't be there," said the Rev. Rodney Hamm, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Cary.
Roman Catholic churches are not immune. Though many local Catholic churches use a fiscal year running July 1 to June 30, members of finance councils are watching the budgets scrupulously.
"We're keeping all expenses 10 percent below budget," said Ben Whitehouse, director of parish operations at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh. "We have a stringent set of cost controls."
Like Protestant congregations, Catholic churches reap a windfall during the month of December. At Cary's St. Michael the Archangel, the largest church in the Triangle, December's collections usually bring in $400,000 -- about double any other month of the year.
But church economics often defy conventional wisdom. An economic downturn doesn't always result in less cash in the collection plate.
"The history of the church is that God's people have done the most remarkable things during difficult times," said the Rev. Joe Harvard of Durham's First Presbyterian Church. "One of the things about times like these is that it forces you to examine where you put your trust."
Churches might postpone building plans and delay salary raises, but they often divert more money back into the community. Many churches give between 10 percent and 30 percent of their budgets back to the community in the form of assistance to individuals who show up at their doors and donations to soup kitchens and homeless shelters.
And many church members give more than their pledges. At Cary's St. Francis United Methodist, the Rev. Pat Lykins often puts a notice in the weekly bulletin asking members to donate gas and food cards to people experiencing hardship. Without exception, she says, she gets what she needs.
"If they know what it's going for, people at church are extremely generous," said Lykins, pastor of missions and evangelism. "They'll give sacrificially."
Churches will get the money if they are giving people what they need. The problem is, most churches are just staying alive to stay alive. People don’t give money for that.
I don’t hawk-eye every week what our collections are but I paid attention for last Sunday,
$11,000+ general collection
$ 6,000+ Coal Fund (there is always a second collection but that really seems to be a lot as well.)
Maybe our Church was just being generous the Sunday before the Election. I don’t think it is an inordinately large Church and those are good collections.
CATHOLICS: Remember that the second collection on Nov 23rd goes to groups like ACORN (although they have stopped direct financing of ACORN while investigating missing money) and UNION organizing. Please consider giving instead to the Little Sisters of the Poor.
In the past couple of year I haven’t picked ou the phone if I didn’t recognize the number. Not any more. These days when they turn out to be some non-profit, I tell them I need to wait until the Obama plan kicks in to see what I have left. Since I get calls almnost dai;y, these days I look forward to the calls.
No problem at my Catholic Church. Meet the quota each month. Just finished three weeks on Sacrificial Giving.
I think people are realizing that they MUST give more to their churches because it will come back to them packed down and abundant to overflowing.
I worked doing volunteer work for them, how interesting you mentioned them.
http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/index.cfm
What fun!
Let the world know that Obamanation is going to take our money!
LOL!
I suggest writing on your pledge card, I will donate as able.
I’ve got about an extra $10 to give this year. It’s going to The Salvation Army.
But the loose coins in my sofa are going to Free Republic. :)
Why tell me this?
I suggest you clarify yourself so we can view this statement as being honest and sincere or something else.
Harrasser Ciexyz: still waiting for a response and I consider this an important matter if I feel work denigrated in helping the aged is in connection with your trite indefensible remark. Monies will go to charities for righting wrongs done by people. I am sorry that I have to say this.
Flip Wilson:
“Before this church can do great things for God, it’s gotta learn to crawl.”
“Let it crawl, Rev” shouts the congregation, “Let it crawl.”
“And when it’s learned to crawl” the preacher continued, “it’s gotta learn to walk.”
“Let it walk,” the congregation responds loudly, “Let it walk!”
Then, fixing them with his eye, the preacher shouted, “And when it’s learned to walk, it’s gotta run and we all know a church can’t run without money!”
There is a momentary silence, then the congregation responds,
“Let it crawl, Rev, let it crawl!”
I think the churches should approach the bamey voters.....they seem to have a ton of money and we know they are so much better than we losers..
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