This document discusses how churches can maintain funding for ministry even during economic recessions. It summarizes research showing that church giving has not consistently decreased during recessions. The document outlines four keys to recession-proof funding: vision, external focus, transparency, and developing a culture of generosity. It provides five steps to create a generosity culture, including having leaders who model generosity and adopting generosity as a core value. The conclusion encourages churches not to be ruled by fear and to believe in God's abundance.

1. The Recession-Proof Church
Funding Ministry In
Challenging Times
Cornerstone Knowledge Network
September 15, 2009
Allen Walworth

2. THE GREAT RECESSION
 MYTH
 REALITY

3. Giving and the Economy
Research 1968-­‐2005 for Giving to Religious Causes
 Six recessions: giving increased in 3, while in 3 others it
declined
 Giving declined in 4 non-­‐recessionary years
 Giving only slightly decreased in 6 of 11 recessionary
years
Conclusion: Church giving does not necessarily go up or
down with the economy

4. FOUR KEYS

5. VISION

6. EXTERNAL FOCUS

7. TRANSPARENCY

8. CULTURE

9. FIVE STEPS TO CREATE
A GENEROSITY
CULTURE

10. 1. LEADERS WHO
MODEL GENEROSITY

11. 2. ADOPT
GENEROSITY AS A
CORE VALUE

12. 3. INTENTIONAL
STRATEGY FOR ALL
TYPES OF STEWARDS

14. 4. YEAR-­‐ROUND
STRATEGIES
• TEACH
• ASK
• REPORT
• CELEBRATE (THANK)

15. 5. ALIGN MONEY
WITH MISSION
• ALIGNMENT—WHY US?
• COMPELLING—WHY THIS?
• URGENT—WHY NOW?

16. FINAL THOUGHTS…
Do not be ruled by fear.
Dare to believe in a generous, abundance-­‐oriented
God
In a lost and hurWng world, the church is needed more
than ever.

17. Thank You
If you have any follow-­‐up quesWons:
Allen Walworth, President and Principal
Generis
allen@generis.com
214-­‐726-­‐2003, cell