Horizons invited churches of all sizes and denominations to complete a survey identifying changes in their Jan-June 2022 giving and worship attendance compared to 2021.
The Good
The good is the percentage of churches with annual giving over $500,000 that reported increased giving grew from 43% in 2021 to 48% in the first half of 2022. The percentage reporting declining giving remained flat at 28%.
The Bad
The bad is the percentage of churches under $500,000 in annual giving reported growing giving fell from 41% in 2021 to 37% and the percentage reporting declining giving grew from 41% to 44%.
The Ugly
The ugly is the percentage of churches with annual giving under $100,000 reported growing giving fell from 37% in 2021 to just 14%, and those reporting falling giving grew significantly from 31% to 49%.
The percentage of churches of all sizes reporting a decline in worship participation (in-person, online, on-demand) grew to 49% in 2022 compared to 43% in 2021.
Don't Lose Hope
This is sobering news, but don't lose hope. There are churches of all sizes and geographic regions with thriving
giving and worship attendance.
Thriving churches are not necessarily working harder, but they are working smarter by focusing on those activities that create the greatest return.
I encourage you to download this easy-to-read report and see how your church compares with your size and geographic peers.
Then ask, "Are we working smarter or just harder?"
It might be time for a change.
Click on the image to download the file.