By Cynthia Woolever
In earlier posts, I covered some basic facts about church finances. Where does the money come from to support the local church’s work (salaries, building expenses, ministry programs, etc.)? Typically, congregations receive about 90% of their funds from individual donations. Other sources of congregational funding include trust funds or investments and charges for facility use.
Faith tradition matters! There are big differences between Catholic parishes, mainline Protestant churches, and conservative Protestant churches in local fundraising. On average, the typical worshiper gives about $1,500 each year to their local church. Worshipers in Catholic parishes contribute the least on an annual basis—an average of $727. This low figure compares to an average of $1,627 for worshipers in mainline Protestant churches and $1,448 for conservative Protestant worshipers.
Church size matters! Average worship attendance is another important consideration in local church funding. In larger churches, more worshipers are “free riders”—people who participate but donate little or nothing. The impact of church size is independent of faith tradition. In other words, all large congregations, regardless of faith tradition, face the free rider challenge.
Worshipers’ values matter! I previously described how worshipers’ values contribute to church giving levels. When many worshipers agree about what the congregation does best, the average giving in the congregation goes up as well. (Worshipers’ values make a difference in Catholic giving, conservative Protestant giving and mainline Protestant giving.)
In an earlier post, I noted that the percentage of worshipers giving 10% of more of their income to the local church clearly distinguishes one church from another. Read on to see which pastoral factors and what other factors contribute to high levels of giving.
The Accelerators in High-Percentage-Tithing Congregations
Does the pastor matter? I wondered if the pastor’s age or experience, theology, or time investments are associated with higher levels of giving in congregations—specifically, tithing, which is contributions of 10% or more of net income. I found that some characteristics of the pastor are relevant to predicting church giving at the 10% or more level.
What the pastor does. The pastor’s weekly activities are important for predicting higher levels of tithing. All three are related to how pastors invest their time each week. In high-percentage-tithing congregations:
- Pastors spend proportionately more time each week on evangelism activities—visiting or calling on prospective members; working to convert others to the faith.
- Pastors spend proportionately more time each week on administrating the work of the church—including staff supervision and attending meetings.
- Pastors spend proportionately more time each week in preaching and worship leadership, including sermon preparation.
What worshipers believe, do, and value. Four aspects of the worshipers’ profile are related to higher levels of church tithing. In high-percentage-tithing churches, more worshipers:
- Are theologically conservative.
- Value the wider community care and social justice advocacy of the church.
- Value reaching the unchurched.
- Attend worship services weekly or more often.
The Decelerators of High-Percentage-Tithing
Not all pastor or worshiper characteristics contribute to high giving levels. In fact, three church characteristics deflate or suppress tithing levels. These features play an important role even when all the other factors are operating as well.
- Catholic parishes tend to have fewer worshipers who tithe.
- Larger congregations have fewer worshipers giving at the 10% level.
- Congregations that are more racially diverse have fewer worshipers giving at the 10% level.
The Bottom Line? Worshipers and pastors are partners in the big job of funding local church mission. When the worshipers and pastor value the church’s mission—and their time commitments reflect that—funding that mission is less difficult.
Previous posts on congregational giving:
Secrets to a Full Collection Plate, part 1
Secrets to a Full Collection Plate, part 2
Worshipers’ Values Make a Difference in Mainline Protestant Giving
Worshipers’ Values Make a Difference in Conservative Protestant Giving
Worshipers’ Values Make a Difference in Catholic Giving
Congregational Involvement and Individual Giving Go Hand in Hand
Comments