MinistryWatch Index Flat for February
Index is based on revenue of 38 large Christian ministries, representing all 22 ministry sector MinistryWatch tracks.
ANALYSIS–The MinistryWatch Index was flat in January and rose less than 1% in February, possibly reflecting ongoing concern about the state of the economy. 
The index had been mostly flat for the past year and a half until the IRS released several large batches of data late in 2025. The single month jump likely reflects not just a single month of growth, but the accumulation of several months of growth finally showing up in the data.
The MinistryWatch Index is based on the revenue of 38 large Christian ministries, ministries that represent all the 22 ministry segments tracked by MinistryWatch.
A recent survey conducted by MinistryWatch of ministry executives found that fundraising has now replaced finding and recruiting staff as their top leadership concern. But that could just reflect a looser labor market, the rise of artificial intelligence, and a diminished concern about finding talent.
Indeed, most Christian ministry executives who responded to the MinistryWatch quarterly survey in February — 66% — are optimistic about the U.S. economy, saying it will not enter a recession in the next year.
That is a stark change from November, when almost half of the respondents said they believe that the U.S. economy is already in a recession or will enter a recessionary period in the next six months to a year. Now, only about 16% of respondents believe the economy is either in a recession or will enter one in the next six months.
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.
About 18% think the country will enter a recession in the next year, down from 26% in November’s survey and 23% in August 2025.
But attitudes — and giving — seem to rise and fall based on the performance of the stock market. Studies by Giving USA, suggest that philanthropic giving correlates closely to the rise and fall in value of the major stock markets. For the past year or more, the markets have been giving mixed signals. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been down more than 5% since the first of the year, but it is up about 9% from this time a year ago. The MinistryWatch Index was up about 8% during that same period.
To read more about how we compile the MinistryWatch Index, click here.
TO OUR READERS: The mission of MinistryWatch is to help Christian donors become more faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. Do you know of a story that will help us fulfill our mission, or do you want to give us feedback about this or any other story? If so, please email us at [email protected].
