News

What’s a Congregation Worth?

A look at whether a congregation adds economic value to its community.

Download a PDF of this article here

Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous articles related to church life and money & business include:

Should Congress Change Pastors' Housing Allowances? | The current tax code excludes the rental value of a home from pastors' taxable income. (March 28, 2011)

Are American Evangelicals Stingy? | Observers discuss whether Christians are generous enough with their money. (January 31, 2011)

How Evangelicals Give | Church members' giving is decreasing in the recession, especially as a percentage of income. (January 31, 2011)

CT previously spotlighted Christian names, how evangelicals give, evangelical vs. mainline politics, today's pilgrims, President Obama's faith, the future(s) of missions, health-care reform, Africa, American Idol, Haiti, Robert Park, persecution, Supreme Court and crosses, international religious liberty advocates, and church violence.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Proselytizing in a Multi-Faith World

God of the Schizophrenic

Evangelism as Sacrament

A Beautiful Anger

Why We Love Amish Romances

Books to Note

Excerpt

Counterfeit Gospels

Review

The Gods of the Checkout Aisle

Poet Amena Brown Speaks the Truth in Rhythm and Rhymes

Wilson's Bookmarks

Carolyn Arends Contemplates Her Own Death, and Yours

Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?

News

Sweat Lodge Prayers

My Top 5 Books On Poverty

Editorial

An Everyday Scandal

News

Rehab Revival: Evangelism Among Addicts Seeing Success

An Improbable Alliance

News

Tough Calling in Africa

News

Pushing Back the Desert: Niger's Christians Get Creative for Daily Bread

Readers Write

News

Exit Visa: Iraqi Christians Look for Safe Haven

News

Thanksgiving Question Nearly Deports Tortured Christian

What Christian Novel Should Be Made Film?

News

Quotation Marks

Two Peoples Separated by a Common Revelation

Multi-Faith Matters

News

Go Figure

News

Borders' Bankruptcy Affects Christian Orgs, Pregnancy Center Signs Violate Free Speech & More News

News

Should Congress Change Pastors' Housing Allowances?

Review

Rob Bell's Bridge Too Far

View issue

Our Latest

Where Ya From?

 ‘The Essence of Superwomanhood’ with Dr. Jeanne Porter King

The preacher and teacher shares lessons for practicing wellness and living a holistic life in God.



Being Human

The Search for Belonging When You’re One of a Kind

Dennis Edwards discusses marginalization, assumptions, and expectations.

Expert: Ukraine’s Ban on Russian Orthodox Church Is Compatible with Religious Freedom

Despite GOP concerns over government interference, local evangelicals agree that the historic church must fully separate from its Moscow parent.

News

Ohio Haitians Feel Panic, Local Christians Try to Repair Divides

As Donald Trump’s unfounded claims circulate, Springfield pastors and immigrant leaders deal with the real-world consequences.

The Bulletin

Don’t Blame Me

The Bulletin considers the end of Chinese international adoptions, recaps the week’s presidential debate, and talks about friendship across political divides with Taylor Swift as a case study.

Taste and See If the Show is Good

Christians like to talk up pop culture’s resonance with our faith. But what matters more is our own conformity to Christ.

The Church Can Help End the Phone-Based Childhood

Christians fought for laws to protect children during the Industrial Revolution. We can do it again in the smartphone age.

Review

A Pastor’s Wife Was Murdered. God Had Prepared Him for It.

In the aftermath of a senseless killing, Davey Blackburn encountered “signs and wonders” hinting at its place in a divine plan.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube