COVID-19 Congregational Study

Abstract

Although almost all U.S. congregations ceased in-person religious services in mid-March 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, for the vast majority of these faith communities, their work and religious services continued online in the midst of significant uncertainty. How have congregations responded in these unprecedented times? Through a recent survey of congregational leaders across the country, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving asked congregations about their finances: How have congregations encouraged giving and managed their resources in the midst of the pandemic? How are they looking to the future in terms of giving trends, budget planning, and reopening for in-person services? We sought to gather data from congregations on several key questions: • What are the congregational trends in participation and giving during the current pandemic? • With increasing uncertainty around financial support, how have congregations responded? • What are congregations expecting over the next year for their organizational or financial future? • As many congregations have reopened or are making plans to do so in the future, what are the key considerations informing their decisions?