It’s been a long time since we Americans have celebrated Christmas and Epiphany in a time of want. Even if our personal circumstances were a bit tight, the country around us, our neighbors, seemed to be enjoying a continual season of prosperity. So our personal celebrations, such as they were, took place against the bright canvas of life in the wealthiest nation on earth.
No more. There is no hiding from the crash of overinflated values and overinflated expectations. As it always does, the capitalist system is finding the bottom, the place where market values and real values meet. The harsh realities of life defined by economic values can’t be ignored. And the continuing decline in the banking industry and the credit markets make it clear that our economic struggles will continue for much of 2009 and, perhaps, longer.
Our churches are responding to the recession in a variety of ways. Some of us have had very strong annual giving campaigns. Many of us are struggling. Some of us have increased our outreach to the community. Many of us are worried about how we will meet our expenses and pay our clergy. And all of us are recognizing the ways this recession is impacting not only our members, but also our communities. Perhaps, feeling our own needs, we may be more sensitive to the needs of those around us. Perhaps these hard times can ignite in us the flame of compassion, can remind us what it is we are called to do and be as the body of Christ.
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Thanks J.B.
This recession is going to weed out a lot of Laodicean churches and maybe even denominations. God will resource those churches that are carrying out His will and the Gospel mission. Many of the others will cease, as they should.
Disagree. Some of the most devout churches are small. Much like Christianity itself – found on the margins.
Yes the big flashy churches will be fine…but remember most Anglo-Catholic churches are located in the poorest areas due to historical persecution, we will find it hard.
The Docese of Maine lost 10 percent of its Members and ASA from 2002 through 2007 and yet managed to increase Plate & Pledge by 5 percent MORE than inflation. It has had no entire parishes leave but it has only 2 parishes which are large enough (Plate & Pledge over $300,000) to risk going it alone. It is composed of mostly (76 percent) small churches (Plate & Pledge of $150,000 or less) which are highly unlikely to try it alone. It is also an aging diocese which in 2007 had 192 Infant Baptisms and 295 Burials. And yet, I would predict that these tough old birds of the Pine Tree State will ride out these tough economic times. And sadly, I would also predict a continuing sslow but steady decline. Statmann
Thanks, Statmann. You and robroy can always be counted on to provide us with plenty of helpful statistics.
Just curious, however, can you provide objective data in support of your assessment that it takes a Plate & Pledge figure of some $300K for a parish to consider departing TEC and “going it alone?” Anecdotal evidence would seem to suggest otherwise to me. There are lots of smaller, poorer churches I can think of who bravely chose to leave that don’t come anywyere close to an annual budget of $300K.
David Handy+
David Handy: Thank you for your kind words. My use of classification data does indeed have shortcomings. My ‘reasoning” is that with less than $150,000 a parish cannot support a full-time pastor, secretary, support diocese, etc. For Maine this is 76 percent of the churches, hence, a “peaceful” diocese. But, you are correct, there are brave souls that will make it work. Thanks be to God. Then, I reason that between $150,000 and $300,000 there exists a much more “iffy’ situation. For over $300,000 they should be quite bold. In the case of Maine, there are only two, hence again, a “peaceful” diocese. It is interesting to note that the dioceses that have had the most unrest (Virginia, Florida, etc.) all have an abundance of over $300,000 parishes. Thus in summary, Maine will remain a “peaceful” diocese. However, it has one major problem area, a very real aging factor which will slowly shut down the smaller parishes. But again, I do truly admire those tough old birds. Statmann
I am a stayer and a Maine Anglican. St John ‘s parish, Bangor.
God will see us through.
Thanks, Statman (#9),
That’s all quite reasonable.
David Handy+