(RNS) — A new survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors finds that half are concerned the economy is hurting their churches.

The survey from Lifeway, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, also found that most pastors say congregational giving is in line with the previous year.

In the survey, 52% said the economy was having a negative impact on their churches, up 15% percentage points from 2021. Overall, 40% said the economy wasn’t having any effect and 7% said the economy is a positive factor for their churches.

The survey, taken in September, marks the first time since 2016 that more than half of pastors feel the economy is having a negative impact on their churches and the first time since 2012 that fewer than 10% of pastors see the economy as having a positive effect.

Read full story here: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/poll.more.protestant.pastors.say.the.economy.is.hurting.their.churches/139334.htm