As offerings dwindle, some churches fear for their future

[Judi Lynn]

David Crary, Ap National Writer
Updated 10:12 am CDT, Saturday, March 21, 2020

NEW YORK (AP) — As in-person worship services are canceled or downsized amid the coronavirus outbreak, some churches across the U.S. are bracing for a painful drop in weekly contributions and possible cutbacks in programs and staff.

One church leader, Bishop Paul Egensteiner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Metropolitan New York Synod, said some of the 190 churches in his region were unlikely to survive because of a two-pronged financial hit. Their offerings are dwindling, and they are losing income from tenants such as preschools which can no longer afford to rent church venues.

“As much as I’d like to help them, everybody's reserves are taking a hit because of the stock market,” Egensteiner said,

At Friendship Baptist Church in Baltimore, a mostly African American congregation of about 1,100, the Rev. Alvin Gwynn Sr. bucked the cancellation trend by holding services last Sunday. But attendance was down by about 50%, and Gwynn said the day’s offering netted about $5,000 compared to a normal intake of about $15,000.

More:
https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/As-offerings-dwindle-some-churches-fear-for-15147900.php

[Jamastiene]

1. Oh, the horror.

Where I live, churches just take and take and take, and make sure we gay people know God hates us. They also make sure to treat women like we are not even human beings too. The homeless shelter where I live is for MEN ONLY. NO women ore children allow and that is if they are straight. Forget being gay and expecting any of them to do anything but demonize you and outright attack you here.

I hope every one of them goes under. Payback's a bitch, a pissed off gay bitch (I am NOT one of the nice gays, for them) who long since was dehumanized to the point that I fucking don't give a shit. It will be good riddance if the churches where I am go. Good fucking riddance. Let them practice their hate without hiding behind God's skirt to do it, the bastards.

[malaise]

2. Tis the tithes that bind

[brewens]

5. This one big new church I where I used to work blood drives asks for paystubs to make sure

members are forking over the required ten percent. I suppose that's not unusual. You mean you let people in that would be dishonest about money? You don't trust them to pony up for the baby JAYUSUS?

That place was great for awhile there. This lady that ran things on their end for awhile was a real arm twister. She really got them to show up. Once she left, donations there dropped by two thirds.

[malaise]

8. The vast majority of these churches are scam artists

I discovered years ago that many of the sheeple value the networking available through these religious institutions way more than tithing for their imaginary hereafter. Some religious institutions do provide educational opportunities and access to scholarship, jobs, healthcare and so on for their 'club' members.

That said, the ostentatious lifestyles of some of these 'megathieves' is beyond vulgar. I will never understand why people give them their money.

[Judi Lynn]

17. Good one!

[hlthe2b]

3. Maybe they should EARN those offerings. Like visiting the homebound/ill and setting up meal

deliveries with local food banks or nonsecular charity outreach groups. They need not expose their minister or staff in doing so. Doors, windows and distance will protect them.

I have no problem with churches that seek donations and offerings when they do what they were long supposed to do, instead of self-aggrandizing and self-profit.

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

4. No tears

Churches. Absolutely, positively the best business in the world. The only service you provide is prepaid, untaxed, and doesn’t have to be delivered until after the customer is dead. At which point, they can’t demand a refund.

[GusBob]

7. My uncle used to say about churchgoers

Full of love for their fellow man in church, cursing each other out in the parking lot traffic outside

[smirkymonkey]

22. I made that observation when I was about 5 years old and started questioning

everything else about religion as well. Needless to say, I am now an atheist.

[malaise]

28. I used to marvel at the community spirit in the church and then those with cars

would splash rain water on their poorer members who were at the bus stop after mass.

[PJMcK]

9. Religions are a perfect scam

They take people's money for an invisible product.

Brilliant marketing but terrible for society.

While I'm at it, the same can be said for Astrologists, Tarot Card Readers and the like. BS artists preying on weak minds.

[GusBob]

6. WWJD

that one fella, whatshisname, he tossed the money changers right out of the temple

[PJMcK]

10. Excellent point, however...

... to understand the story, one has to read the Bible. From their behavior, it's obvious that far too many "Christians" don't have a clue about what's in that book.

[tulipsandroses]

11. Did anyone else notice that yesterday Pence mentioned that people should still be paying tithes

if they are not going to church? I was thinking then, hmm there must have been some kind of meeting that " church leaders" were crying to Trump - Trump also mentioned that among the people he spoke to this week were church leaders.

[malaise]

12. Yep

That was the gathering of RW snake oil salespersons.
Sing along now - Blest be the tithes that bind

[Wounded Bear]

15. More like the tithes that blind...

[malaise]

27. Perfect

[Jersey Devil]

13. What nonsense - no income tax, no property tax

Maintenance expenses based on about 1-2 days per week use, utilities the same. Unless a church is devoting all of its income to charitable works, as they should, they should have plenty of money left over for rainy days.

[Wounded Bear]

14. I can feel some sympathy for smaller, local churches who often do good work in their community.

If some of those TV mega churches go under, give me room. I might try a couple of cartwheels.

[tulipsandroses]

16. This is what Pence said yesterday, in case anyone missed it

[link:https://politicaltribune.org/internet-reacts-after-pence-and-trump-promote-church-donations-amid-crisis-so-much-for-separation-of-church-and-state/|

Vice President Mike Pence enraged the nation on Saturday during the daily coronavirus press conference by urging Americans to keep donating to churches despite the crisis.

The government is not supposed to promote religion, but that’s exactly what Pence and President Donald Trump promised religious leaders during a phone call earlier in the day — in addition to promising that they would tell people to keep sending them money no matter what.

“The President and I promised we’d remind people that on the weekends even though you are not in those pews, it’s still a good idea to, if you can, to go ahead and make that donation, because all the ministries are continuing to play a vital role in our communities,” Pence said.

[LiberalFighter]

21. Yea make those donations even though your income is gone.

[tulipsandroses]

24. Yeah, I though it was yet another outrageous thing to say from this Whitehouse

People are losing jobs, businesses are closing. People can't keep utilities turned on. I work in mental health and I am already seeing the impact on my clients. I am in Florida so a lot of income is based on tourism, lots of restaurants here. A good number of my clients work in restaurants and are not working now. Of course, this is starting to affect their mental health. More anxiety and depression.
And this buffoon, actually stood up and urged people to donate to church at this time.

If there are people that have income to donate right now, please find a worthwhile charity that is actually helping people in this crisis.

[hunter]

31. I have greater concern for my local movie theaters.

Does that mean I'm going to hell?

[hangaleft]

36. No.

It means you have grey matter between your ears.

[Cartoonist]

18. The Platinum Lining

An upgrade from silver if this actually does lead to massive church closings.

[treestar]

19. It's not going to be forever

And in the meantime, they don't have the expense of the programs or whatever.

[Captain Zero]

30. whatever? Some Pastors have a payment on the Jet Plane due, duh

nt

[LiberalFighter]

20. Hopefully this impacts the charter schools too.

[magicarpet]

33. As too the chartered and private jets for Jesus.....

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. Oh the hugh manatee of it all.

[spanone]

25. womp womp

[rzemanfl]

26. It's about time for them to actually deliver after 2,000 years of promises.

[Captain Zero]

29. God works in mysterious ways

Thoughts and prayers.

[hangaleft]

37. LOL!

Great post!

[jberryhill]

32. Why is God always hitting people up for money?

How about if God goes and gets a job, and quits pestering people for money.

I have NEVER seen a god that wasn’t looking for money - any of them.

My favorite was the Big Buddha of Phuket who unabashedly has a number of collection plates. You buy a bag of coins and leave one in each plate to make a circuit.

If these gods are so powerful, they should make their own money.

[sarcasmo]

34. End of the sky being grift is near.

[bluedigger]

35. Sounds like a test of faith.

They should welcome it.

[not_the_one]

38. FINALLY, a bright side!!!

[durablend]

39. Maybe they're not praying hard enough

It'll rain down money on them or something....

[dalton99a]

40. Use yellow police tape

A Catholic church in the central Philippines held its Sunday service with worshippers separated by barricade tape (AFP Photo/Alren BERONIO)