How Are Congregations Being Affected by COVID-19?

The Lake Institute surveyed 555 congregations in July 2020. While congregational giving in these congregations was down 4.4% in March, that number had grown to 6% in June. 65% of congregations surveyed had received PPP. Catholic and larger congregations were more likely to have applied. 71% of conservative congregations planned to reopen by August while only 20% of liberal congregations planned to do so (49% of moderate congregations). Participation increases did not translate to giving increases. A majority of congregations hoped their budgets would remain steady or decrease by only 5-10%.