1 IN 5 CHURCHES MAY FACE PERMANENT CLOSING
LEE GRADY BRINGS WOMEN’S LIVES MATTER MESSAGE TO 36 NATIONS
BIDEN SUPPORTERS OPPOSE PROGRESSIVES IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM
IS PARTISANSHIP LEADING TO DEATH?
SIGHT AND SOUND BROADCAST LIVE PERFORMANCE ON QUEEN ESTHER
1 IN 5 CHURCHES MAY FACE PERMANENT CLOSING
As many as one in five churches could permanently close as a result of shutdowns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, according to David Kinnaman, president of the prominent Christian research organization Barna Group.
In an interview with NPR Monday regarding the status of American churches after months of shutdowns, Kinnaman said although churches were handling things “pretty swimmingly” at first, circumstances have changed for some.
He noted that although many churches have opened as states’ shutdown orders are loosened, their services have had “a lot less people coming.”
“They’re recognizing that the relationships that they thought were much deeper with people were actually not as deep as they expected,” Kinnaman told NPR.
Kinnaman then explained that, in keeping with research from earlier this year, he still expected to see about one in five churches permanently close within the next 18 months. . . .
“The disruptions related to giving, and maybe even as important to all that, is that even for those churches that have reopened, they’re seeing much smaller numbers of people show up. So simply reopening a church doesn’t fix the underlying economic challenges that you might have.”
One parameter, he explained, was how there had been a drop in belief among pastors that their churches will survive the pandemic, going from 70% responding that they were “very confident” early on to 58% responding the same more recently.
Kinnaman said that as time passes, “we’ll look back at this pandemic as a fundamental change to the way Americans” handled church attendance and church donations.
“Obviously, there will be a lot more online attendance than ever before, even after all churches reopen. I think this digital church is here to stay,” he continued.
“I think also it’s really going to change the way people think about their donation relationship with local churches as well. There’ll have to be even greater demonstration of the value that a church brings not just to those who attend but also those who are part of this community.” . . .
The United Methodist Church, for example, reported a 26% drop in collections for the denomination in the month of April, compared to the same time last year.
“This indicates the impact that the coronavirus has had so far on general church collections,” said Rick King, CFO for the UMC’s General Council on Finance and Administration, back in May.
“In March, we saw a little bit of decline compared to prior years. It was really felt in the Western Jurisdiction, where the epidemic started in the U.S. on the West Coast.”
Also, a “State of the Plate” poll taken by the National Association of Evangelicals — the findings of which were released in late April — found that nearly two-thirds of churches have seen a drop in giving since mid-March.
The NAE survey of about 1,000 churches found that 34% of churches reported a decline in giving by 10-20% or more; 22% reported a decline of 30-50% or more; and 9% reported a drop of 75% or more.
(Excerpt from Christian Post. Article by Michael Gryboski. Photo Credit: Getty Images.)
Share your prayers against the closing of churches due to Covid-19 in the comments below!
Partner with Us
Intercessors for America is the trusted resource for millions of people across the United States committed to praying for our nation. If you have benefited from IFA's resources and community, please consider joining us as a monthly support partner. As a 501(c)3 organization, it's through your support that all this possible.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy Policy
Comments
I dropped out of the western church several years ago. The Holy Spirit wasn’t there. It was a man-made event to make people feel good. None of the churches I attended taught the Bible which is critical to a Believer. The only consistent message was tithing which also turned me off.
I am now meeting with a small group in our homes who also dropped out of church. We now meet weekly, share breakfast, studying the Bible (currently Revelation), pray for one another, and look for others that we can help. This group has been a God-send to us.
We need The Lord’s strategy for The Body of Christ. How do we survive financially? What about digital worship and tithing? Our Father has a plan! We need to discern that,
The truth is some churches need to close.
Some don’t preach the Bible.
Some ordain “ministers” who are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
May GOD bless and strengthen every true minister who is genuinely called of God and enabled by GOD to lead HIS people.
May GOD decree which churches remain open, and which are to close.
We need to be very discerning.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
It’s been a criticizem of the church for decades that 10% of the members do the work, keep the wheels oiled and running and the bills paid.
Since their are now congregations determining doctrinal differences as well as simple demographics, it is hardly surprising that this pause reflects teaching on why you should give and who benefits.
Although the digital church has come into its own, it still negates the compassion of relating to your brother who is in need. Your computer image is poor reflection of a compassionate hand holding your during illness, death or loss. However, that which surprises with joy..being cured of illness, births, marriage. A beautiful sunset or starry sky are extraordinary when shared.
This could well be our best “pause that refreshes.” AMEN
Our precious Jesus, You said, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Lord, I ask in Your Holy name that churches whose foundations have been built upon the rock would continue to stand firm in the midst of this crisis. Rebuild those that have closed. May Your Holy Spirit reveal the truth to our nation and the world in a powerful way, the likes that has never been seen before. Please bring a mighty revival in this nation resulting in true repentance that leads millions to salvation and into a vibrant, daily walk with You! In the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen!
When churches started to close and when governors said you could only have so many at worship, I wondered why the Word of Scripture not followed, “do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as is the manor of some, but encourage one another all the more as we see the day approaching.” Oh, that the church would be the church and stand for what God is calling and not for what man is fearful of doing.
To obey God is far better than to fear man.
Think of Esther, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, Daniel to name a few. Are we willing to stand even if we are persecuted!
We have gone to a different church and remain there. The church we are going to opened right away and we’re not afraid. We noticed with a prayer and fasting that our minister from the Church (we were a member of) only gave one verse to think about and read did not give verses before and after even though they were part of the topic and were helpful at discerning the scripture that was given. Instead of praying for our Counyry they only asked that you pray for the “Community” never a prayer for our Country or President, our elections no matter how many letters or text I sent them. When you talk about fear our ministers 4 of them had it. That was going on long before the pandemic. Finally I asked that one of our daily verses be 2 Tim 1-3. He put two verses in 1-2. The Church we are going now to has special prayer for our Country, President , all cabinets Members, CongressWorld leaders on Sunday9:30-10:30and Monday evening 7:00-8:30pm. A Bible Mandate that we pray for leaders our Country all in leadership that we may leave in Peace. What is wrong with churches that won’t pray for our Country and leaders when we live in such times as this. “Fear of Man” instead of obeying God. Lord help us to follow your Word . Amen
Bobbie, today Sunday 8/30, was my first time attending since the closing (due to outside services every other week weather permitting). No prayer for country, President, Louisana hurricane. I was dissapointed. It felt like something was missing. I don’t understand.
Dear Barbara,
Ask GOD to give you HIS understanding; it may be that HE will direct you to begin to attend a different church. “My House shall be called a House of Prayer.”
Dear Mari, thank you for replying. I love praying, reading the comments and replys here at IFA. We are intercessors and God has us praying in our homes everyday 365 days of the year. Guess we just can’t sit around and wait for Sunday services to do that. God bless.
It’s important to go to a Church or join online churches that are teaching Daniel and Revelation, also Ezekiel and Matthew etc. 1/3 of the Bible is Prophecy.The Church must wake up it’s people to the times we are living in. We are to be Watchman.
Are you related to Bobbi?