By the numbers

The CFCS Stewardship Assessment survey is designed to assess a congregation’s giving culture when compared with “best practices” from participating congregations. Take a look at some of our survey results after one year.

The good news

• 18.0 percent of respondents report that they always meet their proposed annual operating budget.
• 23.6 percent of respondents say they share their end of year evaluation with committee, session and congregation.
• 52.0 percent of respondents present a narrative budget to their congregations.
• 61.0 percent of respondents say their membership sees pledging as a spiritual discipline.

The not so good news

• 7.4 percent of respondents have methods in place to continually update their mission study information.
• 20.7 percent of respondents report that members are not thanked for their annual pledges.
• 63.0 percent of respondents say members give mostly based on prior year’s practice rather than proportionately.
• 76.0 percent of respondents don’t believe members read stewardship materials or attend meetings.

Pray for help

• 7.3 percent of respondents report that a Biblical/theological reflection about money and giving is made during session meetings.
• 32.0 percent of respondents either don’t address stewardship or the financial aspects of stewardship in new member classes.
• 33.7 percent of respondents say their congregation does not set expectations or measure results of stewardship drives.
• 65.4 percent of respondents report that their pastor is either not given or does not want to see member pledge information.