Contributions to the church’s national mission and ministry fund dropped four per cent in 2010, bringing the fund’s year-end total to the lowest levels seen in two decades.
Presbyterians Sharing received $8.15 million from congregations and individuals in 2010, down $360,000 from 2009.
Until September, contributions were tracking at levels similar to 2009, noted Karen Plater, associate secretary of Stewardship. Most congregations accept a voluntary allocation to Pres-byterians Sharing early in the year, and many submit the funds as monthly installments. But some wait until the end of the year to contribute a lump sum. In October it became clear contributions would probably be down about four per cent compared to the previous year, she said.
Overall donations to the fund grew during the 1990s and stabilized around the $8.7 million mark in the early 2000s. But between 2006 and 2010, contributions have fallen about seven per cent in total.
Although many factors may have contributed to congregations’ reductions, including impact from the economic downturn, building projects and cash-flow problems, declining membership and increasing church costs likely had the greatest effects.
“In the 1980s we had a net loss of about 10,000 members,” observed Rev. Peter Coutts, who has compiled and analyzed church statistics, and was part of a task force that prepared a demographic study of the PCC for the 2001 General Assembly. “In the 1990s we had a net loss of about 20,000 members. In the 2000s we had a net loss of about 30,000 members. Our membership as of Dec. 31, 2010 will have been around 105,000. We can anticipate a net loss of about 40,000 members in the coming decade.
“I think there will be a tipping point and Presbyterians Sharing will enter a steady decline. Congregations wishing to maintain their financial status quo will be forced to make hard choices regarding their budgets and many will be inclined to find cost savings in part, or in whole, at the expense of Presbyterians Sharing. In 2009 the total income for congregations declined 2.3 per cent compared to the previous year. The response? Congregations adjusted their budgets in 2010 and reduced their support for Presbyterians Sharing.”
But it is still too early to say if the church has reached a financial tipping point, both Plater and Coutts said. It will take a few more years to determine whether the data forms a trend.
“I think when you look at how Presbyterians Sharing has declined, all you see is a bad news story,” said Plater. “But when you see what congregations have given to charities, to supporting ministers and buildings, to the pension fund, their presbyteries, Presbyterian World Service and Development … That’s what still excites me about the work of the church.” – C.Purvis
