Economy Poses Challenges for Churches

Churches across America face challenges as they seek to persuade recession-weary members to donate money to support social services and to pay for the basic operating costs of the churches, the Associated Press reports.

Many churches said their giving rose during the holidays compared with the previous year, but experts say they will still have budget trouble because demands for aid are rising so fast.

“Churches that give themselves away and are clear that’s what they’re about find a much more resilient and committed support pool,” said Allen Walworth, president of Generis, an Atlanta company that advises churches on fund raising. “If a church just seems to be serving itself and protecting itself, it’s going to fall off pretty quickly when people are making their own hard choices.”

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