PC(USA) survey explores why some donors have paused or halted their giving to the national church
The most common response was givers are focusing on their local church
LOUISVILLE — Research Services, part of the Administrative Services Group, was asked last year by Stewardship and Funds Development to survey why Presbyterians paused or halted their giving to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
More than 17,000 surveys were sent out, and 1,275 were returned, a 7% response rate, Dr. Sean Payne, manager of Research Services, told Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Board members during their second day of meetings Friday at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Payne said the survey had just two questions — “why did you stop giving?” and “what would make you reconsider?” Many respondents — about 4 in 10, with survey-takers asked to select all the reasons that apply — said they chose to support their local church or direct their giving through their local congregation rather than through national church offices.
Almost 4 in 10 respondents wrote in their own reasons, including preferring to give to specific causes or programs, including Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, or their limited giving capacity. Less common — about 8% of respondents — said they were either uncertain about the denomination’s restructuring or no longer felt connect to the PC(USA). About 7% said they disagreed with decisions made by the General Assembly. Another 7% said they could no longer afford to give, and about 4% said they were unsure how their money was used. Less than 1% said they didn’t feel adequately recognized or thanked for their donations.
To the question “What would help you consider giving again?” answers fell in seven categories, Payne said:
- Greater transparency
- Improved personal financial capacity
- Change in denominational positions or direction, although most respondents didn’t note which positions they disagreed with, Payne said
- Designated or program-specific giving opportunities
- Stronger communication or relationship
- No conditions for returning
- Continued giving through the local church.
Notable patterns in the responses included:
- Most respondents did not express hostility toward the denomination and described their disengagement as situational rather than permanent.
- Local trust is very strong.
- There is more openness to designated and time-limited giving.
- Concerns about transparency are cross-cutting.
The Rev. Dr. John Wilkinson, director of Stewardship and Funds Development, called the survey “a very helpful process.”
“There is goodwill, and that reminder about storytelling is driving a lot of our strategy right now, with more stories of impact,” he said. “We’re working on that with our colleagues in Presbyterian Life & Witness.”
A consultant “told us that disaster-influenced giving is increasingly significant,” Wilkinson told the board. “We want to pay attention to that while not being totally guided by that trend in terms of our work.”
Financial statements
The board also heard from Denise Hampton, the PC(USA)’s controller, who delivered a report on the year-end financial statements for 2025.
The unaudited statement shows total assets of $830 million, up $63 million from 2024. Total liabilities stood at $25 million, down $0.9 million from the previous year.
At $142.6 million, income exceeded the budget by $67.8 million. Compared to the previous year, income increased by $28.2 million, primarily due to year-to-date realized and unrealized market gain on investments.
Contributions were $3.9 million over budget, including a $1.85 million gift from a trust.
Special giving is over budget by $2 million, due to increased PDA receipts and Hunger Program receipts. Special Offerings are about $966,000 over budget.
The investment return is $34.6 million higher than the same period last year, Hampton said, due to realized and unrealized market gains on investments.
On the expense side, total expenses were $13.7 million less than the budget and $2.1 million less than expenses incurred in 2024.
Building Services
Tina Rhudy and the rest of the staff of Building Services explained their responsibilities for the physical workspace — building, grounds and furnishings — at the Presbyterian Center. They’re responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the Center facility, including repairs, renovations and new construction. They also perform preventative maintenance and upkeep of all mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical.
Building Services “is the caretaker for the PC(USA),” its report noted, “stewarding the physical infrastructure through daily upkeep, immediate needs, and sustainable capital planning, creating the stable foundation necessary for the church to execute its spiritual and administrative ministries.”
After nearly 38 years of service, Rhudy will be retiring this month. The board offered her a round of applause, as it did for the rest of the Building Services staff.
Election Day
The board elected the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick as board co-chair. Kirkpatrick, associate pastor for Adult Education & Mission at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church northwest of Philadelphia, will begin on July 2, the final day of the 227th General Assembly.
She’s the current chair of the board’s Audit, Legal and Risk Management Committee.
Worship
A Corporation President Ian Hall leaned on Psalm 19:1-4 for a reflection he offered during worship in the Chapel at the Presbyterian Center. “I find myself drawn to a passage that reminds us God often speaks in ways that don’t require any words,” Hall said. This psalm and others remind us that “Creation is constantly bearing witness to God. Creation points beyond itself.” It was John Calvin who described Creation as “a theater of God’s glory,” Hall said.
“Scripture reminds us God is not always found in what’s loud or overwhelming,” Hall said. Elijah heard from God through “a sound of sheer silence,” 1 Kings 19 tells us.
Hall said he’s heard from God many times in the great outdoors, from England to Indiana. While it can take some effort to reach some of the Earth’s serene spaces, “there is a clarity and a stillness,” he said, “a sense you are no longer at the center of things.”
He’s also had that same experience while scuba diving. “Over time, with training and experience, you can reach a point where it becomes second nature,” Hall said. “You don’t focus on yourself. You’re present.”
“In that silence I hear God speak — not always in a way that’s overwhelming, but in a way that’s quiet and steady and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention,” Hall said.
“When it comes to Creation, as a person of faith I am reminded I am not just an observer of Creation. I am a steward of it,” Hall said. “I am responsible for how it’s sustained for those who come after us.” He asked board members to consider this question as they began their work together Friday: “If the heavens are declaring the glory of God, are we making space to hear it?”
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