Tithing is defined by Dictionary.com as the act of setting aside one-tenth of one’s income as an offering to God. To do so is the habit? and, some feel, the responsibility? of many church-goers.
But as Michigan struggles in a challenging economy, some are facing the reality of giving less, if only because there is less to give.
Add to this the number of families forced to leave the state? and therefore, their congregations? in search of employment, and the toll on area churches could potentially become substantial.
‘People are moving out (of the area), it is affecting congregation numbers,? said Sister Joan May of St. Mark Catholic Church in Goodrich.
Additionally, May said more people have been in need of the outreach assistance the church provides.
However, she said, people are still finding ways to give, and in some cases economic crisis has led to a deepening of faith.
‘I think for some it has impacted their faith. They are more trusting in God and need to rely more on God because of where they are at this point,? said May.
Pastor Dave Gerber of Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene in Brandon Township has seen a similar reaction from members of his congregation.
‘I don’t have people doubting their faith because of the situation, but that (sort of faith in the face of crisis) is what I try to teach,? said Gerber.
Gerber said like St. Mark, Lake Louise is still doing well, due in part to careful budgeting.
‘One of the things we tried to do a long time ago is get real serious about how we spend our money and where it goes,? said Gerber.
Instead of spending money on expensive programs to draw the community into the church, Gerber said he has charged the church with going into the community.
Pastor Timothy Dibble of the Ortonville United Methodist Church said he has seen the impact of our troubled economy reflected in his congregation.
‘We do have some people who are worried about their jobs. We have some folks who’ve had to find other employment,? said Dibble.
Dibble said members of his congregation strive to help one another in times of need.
‘Generally speaking, we’ve been able to support those families? not just financially but with social support…We’re a family as well,? said Dibble.
From what he’s witnessed, Dibble said times of struggle prove heartening for some, upon their discovery of how much others within the church care for and are willing to help them.
Unlike LLCN, where much of the focus is kept on work within the community, OUMC puts an emphasis on mission work, sending members out of the area to do the work of the church. So far, said Dibble, members have still been able to afford the cost of such mission trips.
‘It is a challenge, but giving, from our standpoint, has not gone down,? said Dibble.
One change Dibble has noticed within the community is the growing numbers of those attending free or low-cost church events.
‘When times are difficult, the church often takes on that role as the center of social activities and spiritual activities,? said Dibble.
May, Dibble, and Gerber were in agreement that in spite of the fact people might have less money to spend, they still dig deep into their wallets and give to the church.
‘People are still donating; The tithes are still coming in regularly,? said Gerber.
‘People are still able to tithe and give,? agreed Dibble. ?…People will even give the extra (amount) because the attitude is, if they have extra, somebody else really needs it.?
In addition to other charity work they may do, many area churches work with the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund (OCEF), the Flint Mission and similar organizations to distribute aid beyond the congregation and into the community.
‘People are still bringing stuff for the Flint Mission. We’re still getting furniture and things like that…We work through OCEF a lot. (But) we never hit stride (in providing as much as is needed) totally, even when things were not as bad as they are,? said Gerber.
The church leaders echoed one another in their sentiment that the church is more relevant than ever in times of need. Perhaps more importantly, they said, it is a welcoming haven to turn to even when there is nothing monetary left to give.
‘What’s left when all that (material) stuff’s gone,? asked Gerber, ‘but faith??
Gary Shepherd, Oakland University, Department of Sociology, says that during tough economic times there’s two ways to look at tithing.
‘In some churches there will be a direct correlation between the economy and lower tithing. In other churches, 10 percent means you give 10 percent’some churches have well-defined expectations, an indication of a commitment. So the poor economy will have much less impact on those churches. It’s a matter of faith that blessing will come your way.?
‘However, when times are good it’s more money, and less in tough times, may be the rule in a lot of churches.?