Benevolences giving hits a new low

Christian Century, Dec 18, 2002

Congregational giving to benevolences, which support the broader mission of the church, hit an all-time low in 2000, reported empty tomb, an Illinois-based research organization.

As a portion of church members' incomes, giving to benevolences declined 39 percent from 0.66 percent in 1968 to 0.40 percent in 2000. Benevolences include a range of expenditures beyond the operations of the local congregation. from soup kitchens to seminaries to international ministries. Though benevolences continued to decline during the period studied, giving as a percentage of income to congregational finances recovered to mid-1970s levels.

"These numbers suggest that churches are not transforming people but rather servicing them," said Sylvia Ronsvalle, who coathored The Staet of Church Giving Through 2000 with her husband, John Ronsvalle. "People are concerned about keeping the lights on and the staff paid at their churches, both of which are valid needs. But those activities ought to be the platform from which to reach out to a hurting world as Christians practice their religion."--RNS