2011 State of the Plate Church Survey

Thank you for your VALUABLE participation in this IMPORTANT landmark survey! Please answer as MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN - - OR please forward the www.kluth.org/survey2011.htm link to someone else at your church who may have the information to complete this survey.

When the survey is completed you will be given access to FREE GIFTS to show our appreciation for your participation ($80+ value) - - including the Executive Summary of the survey when we release the results.

You are ALSO invited to personally participate in the VIEW FROM THE PEW personal household finances/debt/giving survey at www.kluth.org/survey2011.htm

Question Title

* 1. What is the average attendance at your church's weekend worship service/s (adults and children)?

Under 100

100-249

250-499

500-999

1000-1999

2000-4999

5000-10,000

Over 10,000

Question Title

* 2. What is your role/position at the church?

Senior/Lead Pastor

Executive Pastor or Administrator

Associate or Assistant Pastor

Church Staff Member

Church Lay Leader

Church Committee Member

Church Member (no leadership role)

Question Title

* 3. Where is your church located?

Great Lakes States (WI, MI, IL, IN, OH)

Northeast States (NY, NJ, MD, PA, CT, NH, RI, MA, ME, VT, DC)

Southeast States (KY, TN, VA, WV, NC, FL, GA, LA, MS, AL, SC)

Mountain States (NV, UT, CO, ID, WY, MT)

Heartland States (MO, MN, IA, ND, SD, KS, NE)

Southwest States (TX, NM, OK, AR, AZ)

Pacific States (CA, OR, WA, AK, HI)

OUTSIDE of the USA

Country (if outside of the USA)

Question Title

* 4. What happened to your church's general giving in 2010 (or your last fiscal year) compared to 2009?

Giving in 2010 was DOWN

Giving in 2010 was FLAT

Giving in 2010 was UP

Question Title

* 5. How much do you estimate your general giving (not designated giving) went up or down in 2010 (or for your last fiscal year)?

Giving was UP Over 10%

Giving was UP 5-10%

Giving was UP 1-4%

Giving was FLAT - 0% change

Giving was DOWN 1-4%

Giving was DOWN 5-10%

Giving was DOWN Over 10%

Any additional comments

Question Title

* 6. Many churches look toward December to give their budgets a significant boost when people do their year-end giving. At your church, what happened with your December/Year-End giving?

MISSED expectations

MET expectations

SURPASSED expectations

Don't know

Comments

Question Title

* 7. Compared to the last year's budget (2010 or previous fiscal year), did the current year's budget increase, stay the same, or decrease?

Increased by more than 10%

Increased 5% to 10%

Increased 1% to 4%

Stayed about the same as last year

Decreased 1% to 4%

Decreased 5% to 10%

Decreased by 11% to 20%

Decreased by more than 20%

Any additional comments

Question Title

* 8. What do you know about how your church handled the following items impacting your church budget for 2011 (or your current fiscal year)?

	DECREASED BUDGET	KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	INCREASED BUDGET	DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Full-time Staff Positions	Full-time Staff Positions DECREASED BUDGET	Full-time Staff Positions KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Full-time Staff Positions INCREASED BUDGET	Full-time Staff Positions DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Part-time Staff Positions	Part-time Staff Positions DECREASED BUDGET	Part-time Staff Positions KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Part-time Staff Positions INCREASED BUDGET	Part-time Staff Positions DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Staff Salaries (i.e. Pay Raises)	Staff Salaries (i.e. Pay Raises) DECREASED BUDGET	Staff Salaries (i.e. Pay Raises) KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Staff Salaries (i.e. Pay Raises) INCREASED BUDGET	Staff Salaries (i.e. Pay Raises) DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Staff Health Care	Staff Health Care DECREASED BUDGET	Staff Health Care KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Staff Health Care INCREASED BUDGET	Staff Health Care DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Staff Retirement	Staff Retirement DECREASED BUDGET	Staff Retirement KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Staff Retirement INCREASED BUDGET	Staff Retirement DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Staff Travel/Confs	Staff Travel/Confs DECREASED BUDGET	Staff Travel/Confs KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Staff Travel/Confs INCREASED BUDGET	Staff Travel/Confs DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Ministry Programs (CE, Youth, etc.)	Ministry Programs (CE, Youth, etc.) DECREASED BUDGET	Ministry Programs (CE, Youth, etc.) KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Ministry Programs (CE, Youth, etc.) INCREASED BUDGET	Ministry Programs (CE, Youth, etc.) DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Missions	Missions DECREASED BUDGET	Missions KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Missions INCREASED BUDGET	Missions DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Facilities/Maintc/Util	Facilities/Maintc/Util DECREASED BUDGET	Facilities/Maintc/Util KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Facilities/Maintc/Util INCREASED BUDGET	Facilities/Maintc/Util DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Benevolence/Help for Needy	Benevolence/Help for Needy DECREASED BUDGET	Benevolence/Help for Needy KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Benevolence/Help for Needy INCREASED BUDGET	Benevolence/Help for Needy DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Expansion or Renovation Projects	Expansion or Renovation Projects DECREASED BUDGET	Expansion or Renovation Projects KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Expansion or Renovation Projects INCREASED BUDGET	Expansion or Renovation Projects DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Denomination Support/Assessments (if applicable)	Denomination Support/Assessments (if applicable) DECREASED BUDGET	Denomination Support/Assessments (if applicable) KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Denomination Support/Assessments (if applicable) INCREASED BUDGET	Denomination Support/Assessments (if applicable) DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY
Other (explain below)	Other (explain below) DECREASED BUDGET	Other (explain below) KEPT BUDGET FLAT/SAME	Other (explain below) INCREASED BUDGET	Other (explain below) DON'T KNOW OR DOESN'T APPLY

Any comments about your answers

Question Title

* 9. What is your ANNUAL CHURCH OPERATING BUDGET? Note: This amount should NOT include any additional DESIGNATED giving for building projects, school, missions, benevolence, or other DESIGNATED giving accounts.

Don't know

Under $50,000 (in $US dollars)

$50,000 to $100,000

$100,000 to $250,000

$250,000 to $500,000

$500,000 to $750,000

$750,000 to $1,000,000

$1,000,000 to $2,000,000

$2,000,000 to $5,000,000

$5,000,000 to $10,000,000

Over $10,000,000

Any other information or comments

Question Title

* 10. In the new federal budget the government is looking at changing the rules regarding charitable deductions. If the charitable tax deduction were significantly reduced or eliminated, what impact do you feel this would have on the future giving at your church?

Significant impact

Some impact

Slight impact

No impact

Any add'l comments

Question Title

* 11. Wise governance, leadership integrity, and financial accountability is vital to a church's credibility in order to gain people's trust and receive their faithful and generous financial support. Which of the following practices are done at your church?

	Yes	Thinking about doing	No
Our congregation receives copies or can request a copy of our annual budget (note: salaries/benefits do NOT have to be listed individually, but can be shown under one "payroll" category)	Our congregation receives copies or can request a copy of our annual budget (note: salaries/benefits do NOT have to be listed individually, but can be shown under one "payroll" category) Yes	Our congregation receives copies or can request a copy of our annual budget (note: salaries/benefits do NOT have to be listed individually, but can be shown under one "payroll" category) Thinking about doing	Our congregation receives copies or can request a copy of our annual budget (note: salaries/benefits do NOT have to be listed individually, but can be shown under one "payroll" category) No
Annual financial statements are available upon request to our congregation	Annual financial statements are available upon request to our congregation Yes	Annual financial statements are available upon request to our congregation Thinking about doing	Annual financial statements are available upon request to our congregation No
Our top leadership board is made up of 5 or more people, with at least 3 of the people not a pastor/staff or related to a pastor/staff	Our top leadership board is made up of 5 or more people, with at least 3 of the people not a pastor/staff or related to a pastor/staff Yes	Our top leadership board is made up of 5 or more people, with at least 3 of the people not a pastor/staff or related to a pastor/staff Thinking about doing	Our top leadership board is made up of 5 or more people, with at least 3 of the people not a pastor/staff or related to a pastor/staff No
We have a finance committee with the majority being lay people	We have a finance committee with the majority being lay people Yes	We have a finance committee with the majority being lay people Thinking about doing	We have a finance committee with the majority being lay people No
An outside audit has been done by a CPA firm within the last 3 years	An outside audit has been done by a CPA firm within the last 3 years Yes	An outside audit has been done by a CPA firm within the last 3 years Thinking about doing	An outside audit has been done by a CPA firm within the last 3 years No
An internal audit is conducted annually by our finance committee or selected individuals	An internal audit is conducted annually by our finance committee or selected individuals Yes	An internal audit is conducted annually by our finance committee or selected individuals Thinking about doing	An internal audit is conducted annually by our finance committee or selected individuals No
We provide/send personal giving statements (showing a record of their donations) MORE than once a year	We provide/send personal giving statements (showing a record of their donations) MORE than once a year Yes	We provide/send personal giving statements (showing a record of their donations) MORE than once a year Thinking about doing	We provide/send personal giving statements (showing a record of their donations) MORE than once a year No
We have a conflict-of-interest policy related to pastors, staff, and church leaders	We have a conflict-of-interest policy related to pastors, staff, and church leaders Yes	We have a conflict-of-interest policy related to pastors, staff, and church leaders Thinking about doing	We have a conflict-of-interest policy related to pastors, staff, and church leaders No

Additional comments (100 characters or less)

Question Title

* 12. What does your church do to help people with their finances, inspire generosity, and increase church giving (check ALL that apply)?

	DID last year	WILL Do This Year	MIGHT Do This Year	NEED More Info	Don't/Won't Do
Offer financial classes or seminars	Offer financial classes or seminars DID last year	Offer financial classes or seminars WILL Do This Year	Offer financial classes or seminars MIGHT Do This Year	Offer financial classes or seminars NEED More Info	Offer financial classes or seminars Don't/Won't Do
Have sermon(s) on finances/generosity	Have sermon(s) on finances/generosity DID last year	Have sermon(s) on finances/generosity WILL Do This Year	Have sermon(s) on finances/generosity MIGHT Do This Year	Have sermon(s) on finances/generosity NEED More Info	Have sermon(s) on finances/generosity Don't/Won't Do
Conduct annual stewardship drive	Conduct annual stewardship drive DID last year	Conduct annual stewardship drive WILL Do This Year	Conduct annual stewardship drive MIGHT Do This Year	Conduct annual stewardship drive NEED More Info	Conduct annual stewardship drive Don't/Won't Do
Distribute generosity devotional to families	Distribute generosity devotional to families DID last year	Distribute generosity devotional to families WILL Do This Year	Distribute generosity devotional to families MIGHT Do This Year	Distribute generosity devotional to families NEED More Info	Distribute generosity devotional to families Don't/Won't Do
Share a Bible verse on generosity when taking the offering	Share a Bible verse on generosity when taking the offering DID last year	Share a Bible verse on generosity when taking the offering WILL Do This Year	Share a Bible verse on generosity when taking the offering MIGHT Do This Year	Share a Bible verse on generosity when taking the offering NEED More Info	Share a Bible verse on generosity when taking the offering Don't/Won't Do
Use generosity videos in worship service	Use generosity videos in worship service DID last year	Use generosity videos in worship service WILL Do This Year	Use generosity videos in worship service MIGHT Do This Year	Use generosity videos in worship service NEED More Info	Use generosity videos in worship service Don't/Won't Do
Financial/generosity pamphlets available	Financial/generosity pamphlets available DID last year	Financial/generosity pamphlets available WILL Do This Year	Financial/generosity pamphlets available MIGHT Do This Year	Financial/generosity pamphlets available NEED More Info	Financial/generosity pamphlets available Don't/Won't Do
Volunteer financial counselors available	Volunteer financial counselors available DID last year	Volunteer financial counselors available WILL Do This Year	Volunteer financial counselors available MIGHT Do This Year	Volunteer financial counselors available NEED More Info	Volunteer financial counselors available Don't/Won't Do
Accept donations on the church's website	Accept donations on the church's website DID last year	Accept donations on the church's website WILL Do This Year	Accept donations on the church's website MIGHT Do This Year	Accept donations on the church's website NEED More Info	Accept donations on the church's website Don't/Won't Do
Offer automatic electronic payments (EFT)	Offer automatic electronic payments (EFT) DID last year	Offer automatic electronic payments (EFT) WILL Do This Year	Offer automatic electronic payments (EFT) MIGHT Do This Year	Offer automatic electronic payments (EFT) NEED More Info	Offer automatic electronic payments (EFT) Don't/Won't Do
Offer eGiving by Cell/PDA/iPhone/Facebook	Offer eGiving by Cell/PDA/iPhone/Facebook DID last year	Offer eGiving by Cell/PDA/iPhone/Facebook WILL Do This Year	Offer eGiving by Cell/PDA/iPhone/Facebook MIGHT Do This Year	Offer eGiving by Cell/PDA/iPhone/Facebook NEED More Info	Offer eGiving by Cell/PDA/iPhone/Facebook Don't/Won't Do
Offer estate planning materials and/or seminar	Offer estate planning materials and/or seminar DID last year	Offer estate planning materials and/or seminar WILL Do This Year	Offer estate planning materials and/or seminar MIGHT Do This Year	Offer estate planning materials and/or seminar NEED More Info	Offer estate planning materials and/or seminar Don't/Won't Do
Pastor/leaders attend stewardship training conference	Pastor/leaders attend stewardship training conference DID last year	Pastor/leaders attend stewardship training conference WILL Do This Year	Pastor/leaders attend stewardship training conference MIGHT Do This Year	Pastor/leaders attend stewardship training conference NEED More Info	Pastor/leaders attend stewardship training conference Don't/Won't Do

Other things you do OR comments about any of your answers above

Question Title

* 13. Click on any group you know that helps provide materials & helpful ideas for your church related to church finances/budgets, expert advice, financial classes, and/or encouraging generosity/giving.

Church Law & Tax Report (by Christianity Today)

Church Finance Today (by Christianity Today)

Leadership Journal (by Christianity Today)

Dave Ramsey

Crown Financial Ministries

Brian Kluth - www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org

Brian Kluth - www.GenerousLife.org Devotional

Willow Creek Assoc Good Sense Ministry

Natl Assoc of Church Business Administration

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)

Nelson Searcy - Church Leadership Insights

Denominational Resources

Other(s)

Question Title

* 14. Which of the following apply to your church's capital fundraising projects? (Check all that apply)

We are still collecting pledges from a past campaign

We will launch a capital campaign this year

We have postponed a capital campaign because of the economy

We are considering initiating a capital campaign within 1-2 years

We have no plans for a capital campaign

We have utilized a capital fundraising consulting firm in the past 5 years

Any additional comments:

Question Title

* 15. What of the following BEST REPRESENTS your church's theological leanings or affiliations (choose one):

Mainline

Evangelical

Baptist

Charismatic/Pentecostal

Independent

Non-denominational

Catholic

Orthodox

Other

Feel free to add more specific detail OR indicate your specific denominational affiliation

Question Title

* 16. Please provide us with your name and email address so we can send you the results of the survey after it is all tabulated.

First Name: *

Title or Position:

Email Address: *

Thank you for your valuable assistance.

Once you complete this survey and hit SUBMIT, you will be taken to a webpage so you can receive your FREE thank-you gifts for your valuable participation.

Once we complete our Executive Summaries for the STATE of the PLATE Church Survey and the VIEW from the Pew Personal Survey, we will send you FREE copies (Value: $14.95 each).

If you are willing, we would also invite you to go back and take the PERSONAL SURVEY that is an important part of this landmark research (at www.kluth.org/survey2011.htm).

Gratefully yours,
BRIAN KLUTH, Founder of www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org
MATT BRANAUGH, Director of Editorial, Christianity Today International’s Church Management Team
DAN BUSBY, President of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability in Washington D.C.