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A new national survey of nearly 1,100 U.S. churches conducted by NationalChristianPoll.com for Your Church magazine reveals budgeting priorities and assesses the influence of current economic conditions on churches.

According to the survey results, tithes and offerings, which comprise an average of 87 percent of the average church's budget, have declined for 40 percent of the churches surveyed within the past six months. Three times as many respondents say their church budget will increase by 2 percent to less than 5 percent than those who say their church budget will decrease by the same amount.

"Historically, evangelical Protestant churches tend to be tithe-driven," says Ed Stetzer, president of Lifeway Research, who recently participated in a roundtable interview with Your Church magazine to explore the survey results. "Effects of unemployment tend to lag a bit for churches that emphasize tithing, but as the unemployment rate continues to increase, more congregations will get hit financially. Churches need to be ready for this impact."

On average, salaries and wages comprise 38 percent of church operating budgets, the largest expense, survey results show. Building expenses make up 12 percent, a distant second. When asked what options they have considered to reduce expenses, 20 percent of churches say they have implemented salary freezes, followed by hiring freezes, pay cuts, and layoffs.

To view the Executive Report featuring more on Your Church's Church Budget Priorities Survey results, check out the link here.

Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today/Your Church magazine.
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