A View from the Pew: Financial Statistics of 750 Christian Households on Income, Job, Debt, and Giving/Tithing

“State of the Plate” survey statistics provides insights into how the economy is impacting people’s finances and giving

By Brian Kluth, pastor, author, media guest, and founder of www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org

What really matters in an economy is not what the media says, but what people’s personal wallets say.  As part of the 2^nd Annual “State of the Plate” research, 750 Christian households provided an inside look into their income, employment, debt, and giving/tithing. 

This research is being conducted by Brian Kluth of MAXIMUM Generosity and Christianity Today International’s Church Finance Todayand Leadership Journal. Kluth reports that based on this research, “The average Christian family is being directly impacted by the economy.  In spite of growing employment and financial challenges, faithful and generous giving to their church and ministries is a major priority in their lives.”

1 – INCOME: The majority of families have financially lost ground or are standing still financially this past year

For many years, most families saw their income increase most years.  But this is no longer the case as more and more families that completed the survey personally felt the effects of sluggish economy.

· 33% of households saw their incomes go down this past year.

· 43% of households saw no increase in their income.

· Only 23% of households saw their income increase last year.

2 – JOBS: The negative effects of the economy are being felt in people’s homes and church

Almost everyone knows people that have been negatively impacted in the economy.  Often times this financial pain has been felt in people’s immediate families.  When they go to church, they are mindful of other families that are facing financial and employment struggles.

· 97% of people knew people in their church who lost a job the past 12 months

· 42% know people in their church who had to move away to find work in the past 12 months

· 33% of families had someone in their household whose job was negatively impacted by the economy in the past 12 months

· 30% know people personally who have lost their homes in the past 12 months

· 26% know people personally who declared bankruptcy in the past 12 months

3 – DEBT: Many people are actively working on carrying as little debt as possible

A growing number of families are working on eliminating or avoiding growing indebtedness.  Mortgages, car payments, and unpaid credit card balances are the most common forms of debt.

· 17% of households are 100% debt-free and 29% have no debt beyond their mortgage

· 64% have mortgage payments

· 36% have car payments

· 31% have unpaid credit card balances (beyond 30 days old)

· 18% have medical bills

· 18% have student loans

· 14% have home equity loans

· 12% have personal/family loans

· 6% have retail/electronic loans

· 3% have investment debt

When asked how much it would take to be debt-free (except for a mortgage), here were the answers:

· 20% would need $10,000 or less to pay off their debts

· 21% would need $10,000 to $50,000 to pay off their debts

· 20% would need $50,000 to $100,000 or more to pay off their debts

4 – GIVING/TITHING: Many Christians make giving a priority in their lives

While most people only give 1-3% of their income to charitable/church/religious causes, survey responders indicated their household made it a priority to be faithful and generous givers.

· 23% give under 10%

· 18% give 10%

· 51% give 10% to 20%

· 8% give over 20%

Among those who give 10% or more of their income, this spiritual practice and discipline began in their younger years:

· 24% started giving 10% or more in their growing up years at home

· 27% started in their 20’s

· 17% started in their 30’s

· 15% started in their 40’s or older

· 16% have never practiced tithing

· 7% started tithing but have stopped

When asked about who helped shape their Biblical view of finances, generosity, and giving here is the list:

· 56% Larry Burkett

· 45% Dave Ramsey

· 45% Crown Financial Ministries

· 44% Church Pastor

· 44% Parents

· 38% Brian Kluth’s 40 Day Generous Life devotional

· 31% Sunday school class on finances

When asked about giving “INSIDE” the church walls, here is how people responded:

· 78% give offerings their church 1 to 4 times per month, 22% give sporadically

· 93% have supported church missions giving/projects

· 80% have supported benevolence collections

· 69% have supported a building fund project

· 62% have supported special collections for pastors/staff

When asked about giving “OUTSIDE” of the church walls, here are the places where people give:

· 61% Missionaries/mission agencies

· 46% Short-term mission trips for people they know

· 43% Crisis/relief/development/disasters

· 33% Unemployed family they know in their church

· 28% Local civic/community/cultural/sports causes

· 26% Christian radio/TV stations or programs

· 26% Denomination

· 24% Homeless/beggars

· 24% Evangelism ministries

· 24% Youth/college/military ministries

· 22% Christian schools/colleges/seminaries

· 22% Rescue missions

· 21% Child/student/orphan sponsorships

When asked “HOW” people give, here are their answers:

· 90% Check

· 75% Cash

· 62% Donated clothing/household

· 33% Credit/Debit card transaction

· 33% Online Giving

· 23% Electronic Check Transfer

· 10% Donations included in Will/Trust/Estate

· 9% Donated vehicle

· 7% Donated stock

· 6% Donated Gifts-in-kind/Inventory/Equipment

When asked about wills/trusts/estate plans:

· 35% have a will that is up-to-date

· 29% have a will that needs to be updated

· 37% do not have a written will or estate plan

· The majority of people do not have estate plans that included any charitable/church giving

NOTE: Individuals and churches can still participate in the second annual “2010 State of the Plate” church leaders or personal family surveys.  Survey participants will receive free electronic resources, access to the full results, and an executive summary outlining graphs, charts, benchmarks, and trends.

BRIAN KLUTH is a pastor, author, speaker, and media expert on church giving and biblical generosity. His bestselling GenerousLife.org 40-Day Bible devotional has over 400,000 copies in print, translations underway in over 40 foreign languages, and has been used by over 1,200 churches to inspire greater generosity and increased giving. Kluth’s GiveWithJoy.org radio spots are heard on stations across the country. His free MAXIMUMgenerosity.org Church Giving e-newsletter goes to more than 10,000 pastors and leaders in over 130 countries.