The 2^nd annual www.STATEofthePLATE.info research shows that nearly 40% of churches across the country experienced a decline in church giving and offerings in 2009, representing two consecutive years of significant decreases, according to the  by Maximum Generosity and Christianity Today International.

“Churches today are in unchartered waters financially,” says Brian Kluth, founder of Maximum Generosity and author of the 40 Day Generous Life devotional. “After the October 2008 stock market drop, 29% of churches experienced a decline in giving and this past year the number has climbed up to 38% of churches.  Multiple research projects last year documented the sharp decline in church giving and our research this year shows things have only gotten worse for a growing number of churches.” 

Part of the reason for 2009’s continued decline: An unexpected number of churches (30%) reported lower-than-expected collections for December, a month that traditionally helps many churches meet their budgets.

Even Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, with 20,000 people attending weekly worship services, ran behind its multimillion-dollar budget before Warren sent out a last-minute email appeal encouraging year-end gifts. Saddleback Church received more than $2.4 million, allowing the megachurch to end the year in the black.  But other churches weren’t as fortunate.

Megachurches (47%) and West Coast churches (55%) were hit hardest in 2009 as they fell behind in their giving from the previous year, according to the latest survey.

Kluth launched the STATE of the PLATE research in 2008.  The research from over 1000 churches of all denominational backgrounds captures benchmarks, statistics, and trend lines on church giving, budgets, and generosity initiatives. 

On a positive note, the STATE of the PLATE research also showed that a growing number of churches (31%) increased their benevolence giving to help people in their church and community facing critical financial needs.  Giving to missions also increased in a significant number (30%) of churches. 

Many churches also actively taught Biblical financial and generosity principles in 2009 through sermons (66%), financial classes and seminars (48%), and volunteer financial counselors/coaches (26%) to help their church families weather the poor economy. 

“In our new economic culture, churches must learn to intentionally teach Biblical financial and generosity principles to help serve the families in their congregations and to reverse the decline in giving,” Kluth says.

For an Executive Summary with media charts/graphs and access to the complete research data, participate in the personal survey at: www.STATEofthePLATE.info.



About the author: Brian Kluth is a pastor, author, speaker, and media commentator on church giving.  His bestselling www.GenerousLife.org 40 Day devotional has been used by over 1200 churches to inspire generosity and increase giving.  Kluth founded the www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org website which provides a free eNewsletter for over 12,000 church pastors and leaders in over 150 countries.