THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND THE RESHAPING OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP PART THREE: CHURCH ECONOMICS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10680268Keywords:
COVID-19 crisis, churches, economic challenges, financial strain, donations, fundraisingAbstract
The Covid-19 Crisis and the Reshaping of Christian Worship Part Three: Church Economics.
This essay discusses the economic challenges and financial strain faced by churches in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. As physical attendance dwindled and traditional fundraising avenues were disrupted, churches encountered a financial crunch that impacted their operational capabilities and the livelihoods of their staff. Exploring the decline in donations, the innovative fundraising strategies adopted, and the long-term implications for church infrastructure, this essay aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the economic repercussions of the pandemic on religious institutions.
References
• BRUEGGEMANN, Walter, Virus as a Summons to Faith. Biblical Reflections in a Time of Loss, Grief, and Uncertainty, Eugene, OR, Cascade Books, 2020.
• DUNLOP, Jamie, Budgeting for A Healthy Church: Aligning Finances with Biblical Priorities for Ministry, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 2019.
• GAGU, Cristian, “The Church and Religious Life of Christians in Pandemic Times”, in Ionuț Holubeanu (ed.), Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference „History and Theology”, Bucharest, Editura Universitară, 2021, pp. 288-317.
• GANNON, Thomas M. and David F. Schwarztz, “Church Finances in Crisis”, in Social Compass 39-1/992, pp. 1-120.
• MĂCELARU, Marcel V., “Bunăstarea umană și binele comun”, in Corneliu Constantineanu / Marcel V. Măcelaru / Iosif Riviș-Tipei (eds.), Pentru binele comun. Realități și perspective ale colaborării dintre ONG-uri, comunități creștine și autoritățile locale, Arad, Editura Universității „Aurel Vlaicu”, 2018, pp. 31-40.
• MASEKO, Xolani, “Ecclesiological Response to Covid-19 and the Question of Meaning in Context”, in Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 48-3/022, article 10385, pp. 1-11.
• MAWERENGA, Jones Hamburu, “Rethinking Ecclesiology and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malawi”, in African Theological Journal for Church and Society 2-2/ 2021, pp. 58-87.
• NELSON, Tom, The Economics of Neighborly Love. Investing in Your Community’s Compassion and Capacity, Downers Grove, IVP, 2017.
• OSEI-KUFFOUR, Francis, Williams Kwasi Peprah, Dickson Marfo Sarfo and Bright Osei Yeboah, “COVID-19 Impact on Church Cash Inflows in Ghana as Moderated by Location Profile”, in Applied Finance and Accounting 8-1/2022, pp. 6-16.
• PAKPAHAN, Gernaida.K.R., Fibry J. Nugroho, Priskila I. Benyamin, Frans Pantan and W. Wiryohadi, “Pandemic Ecclesiology. Church Re-actualisation during the Pandemic”, in HTS Teologiese Studies 78-4/2022, article 7201, pp. 1-8.
• PUEN, Stephanie Ann. “Business, Economics, and Theology. Working for the Holistic Flourishing of Creation” in Reviews in Religion and Theology 27-4/2020, pp. 464-469.
• ROTARU, Ioan-Gheorghe, “Spiritual lessons observed through the Coronavirus Crisis”, in Dialogo. Issue of Modern Man, 2020, vol.6, no.2, pp. 71-82.
• ROTARU, Ioan-Gheorghe, “Biserica lui Dumnezeu, sursa unui Râu al Vieţii şi al Vindecării” (“The Church of God, the source of a River of Life and Healing”), Argeşul orthodox, 2012, XI, nr.564, p.5.
• SALIMIN, Abdalla Hamadi, “Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Religious Activities and Faith of Worshippers in Kenya”, in Journal of Studies in Social Sciences 20-1/2021, pp. 1-18.
• STOLARCZYK, R. Brian, “Theological and Financial Integrity in Church Budgeting. A Study of the Effects of Budget Theory Education Using a Two Kinds of Righteousness Framework”, DMin Thesis, St Louis, Concordia Seminary, 2019.
• WRIGHT, N.T., God and the Pandemic. Christian Reflection on the Corona Virus and Its Aftermath, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 2020.
