Financial challenges for churches during the crisis

This past Sunday marked the second one that many churches did not have live services but broadcast the service over social media. While some churches continue to gather each Sunday, in many states that is not permitted due to the coronavirus and the states mandating that no large groups are allowed to meet. In a few states people have been ordered to stay in place.

No one knows how long these quarantines will last; therefore, we don't know how long it might be before churches can once again gather together for Sunday worship. Many churches have never live streamed their services and do not have the equipment to do so. Some are trying to videotape messages from their pastors to share over their social media pages, but in some cases churches do not have social media pages and in others they do not have anyone with the knowledge of how to do this. Smaller churches, especially, are being impacted by these challenges.

Regardless of the size church, many are reporting a drop in income has already been experienced. Since many churches have no way for their members to give electronically, they must rely on their congregation to send checks through the mail. The churches still holding live services report much smaller attendance and reduced offerings. In addition, churches are losing income due to day care centers and other groups who may be renting facilities in their churches canceling their services. This is putting a financial burden on churches who must still pay staff, utilities, and maintain many of their ministries.

To make the problem worse, we know that lost revenue in churches is not often made up later. After the economy tanked in 2008 many churches experienced a sizable drop in offerings, and, in many cases, those offerings never returned to pre-2008 levels. Although the coronavirus emergency may correct itself within a few months, the income lost during this time is unlikely to be recovered in many churches.

What can churches do to help themselves financially?

1. Don't be afraid to remind your members that the ministries of the church and regular expenses such as utilities, salaries and other expenses continues even though the church may not be able to physically meet. It's not necessary to beg like some televangelist, but do not shy away from talking about finances during this time.
2. Recognize that some within your congregation have lost their jobs or seen their hours cut back substantially. They are going through financial hardships right now and may be reluctant to donate. They are having to cut back. It's important that churches cut back some of their unnecessary spending as well. This will show people that you are in this with them. This is not the time to buy a new sound system for the church and ask people to increase their giving to pay for it.
3. Every church needs a social media page. I've been preaching this for years in pastor gatherings, but I still get push back from small church pastors. They insist they don't have the skill sets to set up such a page. If you have a junior-high age person in your church you have all the skill sets you need to create and maintain a social media page! These pages are the best way to stay in touch with your congregation during a time such as this, and is a great way to remain in contact with them when things return to normal.
4. Every church needs a way for people to give online. I realize many older people will not use this feature, and that's OK. Younger people will. In fact, for some younger people, if they can't donate electronically, they probably won't donate. You may be surprised to find many of your senior saints will use this feature, especially if they are away during the winter months.
5. People are going to need financial assistance during this time. Even though your church may experience a financial short-fall during these next few months, be prepared for increased requests for financial help from those who have lost jobs or seen significant decreases in their own personal income. Tap into your reserves if necessary to provide this assistance. Just like this is not the time to be hording toilet paper, this is not the time for churches to be hording their financial reserves. This is a time to minister to the real needs of people.

The church has always been at its best when going through crisis times. With a little wisdom and a lot of grace we will get through this time just fine and have the opportunity to show people the love of God and the care His churches have for the people they serve.