Churches are looking at hard times

Endowments are down
Kurt Barnes, treasurer of the 2.2 million-member Episcopal Church, said the value of the denomination's endowment funds, which cover 5 percent of the annual budget, have declined by 30 percent this year. Some staff at Episcopal headquarters in New York offered to take a pay freeze, but church administrators declined, saying it wouldn't be fair to the employees.

The United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, which oversees humanitarian aid and evangelizing for the 11 million-member denomination, has cut next year's budget by $2 million, reducing it to $58 million, because of a decline in investment income.

The fall brings a key test for churches. It's a time when many collect money for large campaigns, or ask members to make a financial pledge for the coming year.

Ed Kruse, stewardship director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a 4.8 million-member denomination, has been offering tips to pastors with the task of seeking contributions from congregants anxious about the economy.

'Setting priorities'
Kruse suggests they focus on donating as a spiritual discipline, citing Matthew 6:21 — "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be."

"That's a promise that if we'd like to grow in our faith, one of the ways that will occur is through our giving," he said.

The end of the year is also a time when many Roman Catholics donate to major campaigns. While it is too early to measure the effect of the crunch, "it doesn't look promising," said Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Pastors hope churchgoers' commitment to their faith and to helping others will prevail.

Over the summer, when gas cost more than $4, Herb Ellison said his family cut back on eating out and other expenses so that they could afford the 45-minute drive to St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Beckley, W.Va., for Saturday and Sunday services.

"When we do feel the pinch, it's just a matter of setting priorities," Ellison said, "This is the most important part of our week."

More from msnbc.com Obama on health care policy: ‘No free lunch’ Superbug slips through food-safety net Interactive: Top contenders at the British Open Timeline: Reliving NASA's glory days 'Half-Blood Prince' is strong warm-up for finale Traveling with your pet? Keep ’em safe