The State of Stewardship in our Culture

Episcopalians have with in their power to foster enormous changes not only in our world ministry, but within our own communities. It would not take an act of congress or a war to make these changes, all it takes is for Christians to dig a little deeper in their pockets each month and contribute more to their parishes and contribute more to Episcopal Agencies that help those in other countries and in our own communities. Why do this?  Because in our own biblical teachings and traditions we are bound to take care of those who are less fortunate than us. "Help thy neighbor as we help ourselves."

Why don't we do it? Because we do not view ourselves as living in abundance. Most families, even among the upper middle class - other see themselves as "just getting by". However compared to 95% of the world population, we are very rich.  (Take the quiz in the Stewardship Education and see how you do.)  Also from "Passing the Plate":

In 2005 the United States contained approximately 226,070,000 professing to be Christians...in various levels of commitment. About 140,090,000 are members of Christian churches report going to church as least two times a month, and describe themselves as as strong or very strong Christians.  About 149,822,000 report that religion provides a great deal of guidance in their day to day life. In short, well more than one hundred million are practicing and professing Christians.

Money for Outreach

Christians in the United States combined earned 2 trillion dollars last year. If all U.S. Christians gave 10% of their income to their church, there would be an additional 46 billion dollars for the work of the church

Episcopalians make up between 1.7% - 1.90% of the US population totaling 44,841,600  with an average salary of $52,000. 17.4% of Episcopalians give little or no money to their church.  11% give 10% or more of their income. Episcopalians average giving is 2% of their income.

16 billion It seems alot of money until you realize how Americans are really spending their money: (some examples)

• In 2005, Americans spent 27.9 billion dollars on candy
• in 2004 Americans spent 92.9 billion dollars on refreshment beverages
• In 2000, Americans spent 203.7 billion dollars on entertainment products, including 67.9 billion on Televisions.
• In 2003, Americans spent 45 billion dollars on state lotteries
• In 2000, Americans spent 29.8 billion dollars on alcohol beverages. At an average of $372 per person, that is $172 more than the average person gives to their church.
• In general, between 1959 and 2000, while Americans financial giving was declining, the personal consumption expenses have been increasing.

The authors concluded that:

In general, it appears that the overall US  consumer market is increasingly tilting not toward products meeting basic needs, but the spending ordinary Americans on luxury items. (spending more on wants, than needs)

Note: There is much more information and hypothesis as to why American Christians spend as they do. I would strongly encourage anyone who wants to find out more about the statistics and conclusions purchase this book. I know it can be purchased through Amazon, or downloaded through their Kindle Store at $14.79. (October, 2010)

Here are some of the conclusions reached by the authors about American Christian Giving:

While it appears that most Americans do have the income to give at the 10% level of their income. However, due to some of the following reasons do not:

• they have not confronted and grappled with the theological and moral teachings of their traditions toward generous giving
• they do no give generously because their churches have a very low expectations of giving. A lack of community norms on encouraging and celebrating generous giving.
• they do not give generously because they do not trust that their church or non profit to spend their money wisely
  
• they do not give generously, because not only is there not a community norm for giving more, there is also no consequences for giving less
• those that could give more, don't because, they are afraid that others who could give more won't, so they do not want to pay more than there fair share.