MinistryWatch Index Saw Slight Rise in August
Still mostly flat for the year
ANALYSIS–The MinistryWatch Index saw a slight increase in August, the first significant monthly rise this year.
The MinistryWatch Index is based on the revenue of 38 large Christian ministries—ministries that represent all of the 21 ministry segments tracked by MinistryWatch.
This month’s lackluster performance adds another month to a now record nine months of mostly flat performance by the Index. The slow growth of the MinistryWatch Index over the past nine months could suggest concern about the future of the economy.
A recent survey conducted by MinistryWatch of ministry executives found that fundraising has now replaced finding and recruiting staff as their top leadership concern. This concern seems well-founded. A recent survey found that giving by evangelicals is down.
Other studies, especially those by Giving USA, suggest that philanthropic giving correlates closely to the rise and fall in value of the major stock markets. (Note that this relationship is correlative and not causative.)
That theory is being tested this year. All three of the major stock indices — the Dow, the NASDAQ, and the S&P — have hit record highs in the past few months. The Dow is up 7.5% for the year. The NASDAQ is up about 14.8%. The S&P is up 12.3%.
Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.
To read more about how we compile the MinistryWatch Index, click here.
