With Weakened Economy, Churches Seeing Harder Times

By: Tom Breen


CHARLESTON, W.Va. - On a recent Sunday, the Rev. Richard Mahan scrapped a sermon on forgiveness. He felt compelled instead to address the economic turmoil battering the nation.

"Everybody's facing hard times," he told worshippers at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Charleston. "If you're not, you're going to."

Include churches in that dismal forecast.

With the economy in crisis, congregations around the country are cutting expenses at the very moment many members need help with food, heating bills and gasoline.

Some members of the clergy say their fundraising has remained steady despite the economic downturn, but how long that will last is unclear. Some are postponing building plans and delaying new programs just in case.

Among the congregations faring best are those with a strong tradition of tithing - the biblical mandate to give at least 10 percent of one's income to the church.

At Stevens Creek Community Church in Augusta, Ga., which practices tithing, "you would never know that things are taking a nosedive in terms of the economy," said Dave Willis, a pastor.

"It's part of the DNA here, so we have seen some consistency even in rough times," said Willis, whose church draws an average of 1,300 worshippers each Sunday.

With Weakened Economy, Churches Seeing Harder Times....