Evangelicals and the Economy
By: Susan Candiotti, CNN
Updated: December 22, 2008
Tough economic times are actually helping some churches spread the good news
and grow their congregations. When the economy sags, so does the collection basket. But pews are packed at evangelical churches and membership is growing, despite an economy on the brink.
Preachers say it is easy to explain.
"We focus on encouraging them, trusting, having faith in spite of the circumstances," said Rev. A.R. Bernard of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY.
"I promise to meet all of your needs according to my riches in glory, not the economy," he told his congregation.
Attendance is up about 20 percent at the Christian Cultural Center.
"You lose your job, you lose your home. you lose your car because it's repossessed, but don't lose your faith," Bernard said. "As long as you have faith, as long as you have hope, you can get another house. You can get another car."
According to a Texas State University study, during every recession cycle between 1968 and 2004, evangelicals have mushroomed.
"If I'm someone who's lost my job and I'm looking to feed my family and I have a choice between a church that sells me a message or one that's more intellectual, more abstract about God, I'm going for the one with certainty," said TSU's Prof. David Beckworth.
Debra Mills lost her accounting job this week after 34 years. As an evangelical, her trust is in God.
"You never put your trust in man," she said. "You always put your trust in God even though God per say is not going to literally put a meal on your table, but God will provide."
With no economic salvation apparent in the near future, for many, spiritual salvation may be the only path to better times.
