Source: Religion News Service
USA< October 25, 2010: Americans are being more generous to religious charities, but why are they skimping on their giving to churches? A new report from Empty Tomb Inc., an Illinois-based Christian research organization, contains an analysis that found from 2007 to 2008, Protestant churches saw a decrease of $20.02 in per-member annual charitable gifts. But annual average contributions to "church, religious organizations," which includes charities like World Vision and Salvation Army, increased by $41.59. Giving to religious charities is up, while giving to churches is down. One reason? Churches spend more money on congregational finances and less on endeavors beyond the church walls. This is unappealing to people who want to support specific causes with a tangible, visible benefit or goal. “People overall give to a vision, and this is just what we’ve observed, that you see that kind of outpouring when there is a specific need, not a general supporting of an established organization” said Ronsvalle, who co-wrote the 20th edition of the “State of Church Giving Through 2008.”