There are many indications that Black churches are more vulnerable than other congregations to economic hardship, while we see that Black and Hispanic individuals suffer a disproportionate health impact as well. Barna found that 72% of Black church-goers are concerned about the long-term effect of COVID-19 on the health of their congregation, and that lower socio-economic status increases that level of concern.
Even still, we know that Black and immigrant churches, big and small, in both rural and urban areas make a tremendous difference in their communities by sharing their financial, social, and network capital with those inside and outside of their congregations. As Rev. Young from the Massachusetts Council of Churches shared with Melissa, these congregations are important front-line providers of social services in their communities, including addressing pressing basic needs. Some critics of religious giving distinguish it from other forms of philanthropy in claiming that donations are spent largely internally, more like a mutual benefit society than an externally focused service agency. Yet for those engaged in studying or participating in congregations, you know this is a false dichotomy. Our NSCEP study indicates that 84% of all U.S. congregations are engaged in community service, overwhelmingly focused on providing food, clothing, or other basic necessities. Research by leading sociologist, Ram Cnaan, and supported by our colleagues at Partners for Sacred Places have demonstrated for years the central role that congregations play in providing social services in the United States.
Lake Institute’s own recent study on the impact of COVID-19 on congregational finances found that 28% of congregations indicate they have supported other nonprofits or congregations in need since the beginning of the current crisis. Even as many congregations are contemplating the outlook of their current budgets as well as when or how they can return to gathering as a community, they are also directly responding to the needs of others. This confirms our expectation that congregations have a charitable economic impact that extends beyond the size and scope of their regular budget alone. At the same time, congregations often promote giving and volunteering among their members beyond their own institutional walls. These practices illustrate the deployed nature of the local congregation, with a presence in local communities as diverse as our country, addressing local challenges and serving local needs.
We continue to explore the economic impact of COVID-19 on congregations, even as we also lift up the vitality and diversity of congregations in their local contexts.
