The expression “as poor as a church mouse” is taking on fresh meaning, especially for mainline Protestant churches such as [the Rev. Michael] Gray’s, which have been grappling for decades with a drop in members and donations.
Autumn is the time of year when many churches are drawing up their budgets and asking for donation pledges for the coming year. This year, many church leaders say they are preparing for hard times.
For some churches on the edge, this could be a winter of final reckoning.
“We are all on survival mode,” said the Very Rev. Benjamin Shambaugh, dean of the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Portland.
Like many congregations with drafty pre-energy crisis buildings, St. Luke’s is feeling the squeeze that comes from heating its soaring interiors. Shambaugh expects St. Luke’s to have spent $40,000 on oil to heat its State Street building by the end of this year, a big chunk of the church’s $578,000 annual budget.
Last winter, St. Marks Episcopal in Augusta closed the church and moved what is left of the congregation into the vestry. Apparently, the congregation has shrunk very substantially. For some reason, Schori hasn’t spoken about this. Larry
Larry: St Mark’s Membership went from about 375 in 1997 to about 60 in 2007. Plate & Pledge went from sbout $85,000 in 1997 to about $60,000 in 2007, not including the effects of inflation. Statmann
Statmann – was it a major walkout — or just a steady drop?
If they walked out together, are they still together?
Margaret: The big drop in Membership was in 2000 so I doubt that it was a major walkout. Most likely, a correction of previous bogus data. Since 2000, it has been a steady decline. Perhaps, a reader in Maine may have better insight, if there are any readers of T19 in the “Blue State” of Maine. Statmann
I’m a Mainiac. I’ll see what I can find. Larry