Container Top
Homes   Jobs   Cars   Shopping
Search

Events Calendar

EVENT SEARCH:

In This Section


Most Read Stories


Blogs:


Pets:
Dogs' Bark: Not fair! Study shows pups get jealous

The Heldenfiles:
Who Will Get the Michael Media Treatment Next?

Patrick McManamon:
More on Varejao

Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Kent State

Browns Bulletin:
Quick thought on Browns rookies

Tribe Matters:
Wedge challenges relievers

Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana

Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update

Cleveland Cavaliers:
Andy’s Signed According to ESPN

All Da King's Men:
Does Medicare Have Lower Administrative Costs ?

Blog of Mass Destruction:
CIA Did Mislead Congress

Akron Law Café:
Breaking Story: CIA Lied to Congress about Secret Program

Varsity Letters:
East basketball update

See Jane Style:
Oh Baby!

Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?

Let's Talk Real Estate:
Closings….Not the Good Kind!

Ohio Travels with Betty:
Margy inquires-when is a Taste of Hudson?

Sound Check:
LeVert II live performance Saturday night — "Dedication" album due July 13,

HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work

Akron Gamer:
First 24 'Guitar Hero 5' songs announced

Churches face tough times too

Many congregations cut expenses in anticipation of drop-off in donations

By Tom Breen
Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.VA.: On a recent Sunday, the Rev. Richard Mahan scrapped a sermon on forgiveness. He felt compelled instead to address the economic turmoil battering the nation.

''Everybody's facing hard times,'' he told worshippers at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Charleston. ''If you're not, you're going to.''

Include churches in that dismal forecast.

With the economy in crisis, congregations around the country are cutting expenses at the very moment many members need help with food, heating bills and gasoline.

Some members of the clergy say their fundraising has remained steady despite the economic downturn, but how long that will last is unclear. Some are postponing building plans and delaying new programs just in case.

Among the congregations faring best are those with a strong tradition of tithing — the biblical mandate to give at least 10 percent of one's income to the church.

 

At Stevens Creek Community Church in Augusta, Ga., which practices tithing, ''you would never know that things are taking a nose dive in terms of the economy,'' said Dave Willis, a pastor.

''It's part of the DNA here, so we have seen some consistency even in rough times,'' said Willis, whose church draws an average of 1,300 worshippers each Sunday.

Mahan said there has been no dip in tithing or contributions so far at St. Timothy's. In fact, he has seen congregants donating more than usual to a small discretionary fund that covers grocery and utility bills for needy members.

''If we've got a little more than others, then we as the body of Christ ought to reach out and offer some of that to people,'' Mahan said.

Rob Peters, senior pastor with First Baptist Church in Weston, Fla., said his church has delayed plans for a new $4 million building. Before the economy began to sour in the spring, the 2,500-member church was receiving about $40,000 a week in donations. Now, it averages around $36,000, Peters said.

''We want to continue to build, but we don't want to jeopardize our church ministry,'' Peters said.

CHARLESTON, W.VA.: On a recent Sunday, the Rev. Richard Mahan scrapped a sermon on forgiveness. He felt compelled instead to address the economic turmoil battering the nation.

Get the full article here.


Story tools

Email  Email   Print  Print   Save  Save   Reprint  Reprint   Popular  Most Popular   Reprint  Subscribe

Share this story

AddThis Social Bookmark Button
















Most Commented Stories