Church giving more than keeps up with inflation

Americans are increasing their church contributions more than enough to keep up with inflation, according to a survey by the National Council of Churches (NCC), Monitor contributor Tracy Early reports.

Some churches do not publicize financial data and the denominations reported in NCC surveys are not identical year after year. But the reports do give a reliable picture of overall trends, according to NCC staff member Constant Jacquet.

The reports since 1961 have shown a consistent increase in church contributions, even allowing for inflation. Calculated in 1967 dollars, per capita gifts have increased from $69 in 1961 to $88 in 1981, according to the NCC surveys.