They are having financial troubles.
A recent survey conducted by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research reveals a notable decline in financial contributions to churches among Evangelical Protestant Christians over the past three years. The report, titled “The Giving Gap: Changes in Evangelical Generosity,” is based on data from online surveys of 1,039 Evangelicals conducted in early 2024. This new data is compared to their previous 2021 study, “The Generosity Factor,” which was compiled during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey found a significant drop in the percentage of Evangelicals donating to churches, falling from 74% in 2021 to 61% in 2024, representing a 17% decrease. Donations to organizations outside of churches also declined from 58% to 50%. Additionally, the proportion of individuals giving to neither churches nor charities increased from 19% to 31%. The average donation to churches decreased from $2,953 in 2021 to $2,503 in 2024, and overall contributions to both churches and charities fell from $3,572 to $3,053.
Ron Sellers, President of Grey Matter Research, noted that these figures paint a concerning picture of Evangelical generosity. However, he observed that Evangelicals of color have remained more consistent in their giving compared to others. Despite a general decline in American generosity, there is an expectation that believers should demonstrate higher levels of financial support.
The study also highlighted a strong correlation between spiritual engagement and generosity. Evangelicals who are actively involved in spiritual practices such as prayer, worship, and Bible study are more likely to donate to both churches and charities compared to those who engage less frequently in these activities.
Mark Dreistadt, CEO of Infinity Concepts, suggested that encouraging deeper spiritual engagement might be a more effective approach to increasing generosity than simply urging higher donations. He emphasized that true generosity involves a deeper understanding of the blessings received and reflecting that understanding through giving. Recent research indicates that while church attendance has decreased, those who remain are giving more to cover operating expenses, although this increase has not fully offset rising costs due to inflation.