Ministries Fall on Hard Times, Try to Meet Year-End Finances
A number of ministries have reported decreased giving this year after a slew of natural disasters struck the United States and other countries worldwide.
A number of ministries have reported decreased giving this year after a slew of natural disasters struck the United States and other countries worldwide.
One ministry is asking for donor help in this final stretch of the year.
"My friend, I can’t recall a time when we have needed your help more than we do now, if we are going to close the books on 2005 with the bills paid," states Chuck Swindoll, who heads Insight for Living. Swindoll admits that the ministry is stretched for finances this year as many of their donors have already given to hurricane and tsunami relief efforts.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Candidly, getting there is going to require a huge outpouring of support from faithful friends who believe in what God is doing through Insight for Living," he states on the ministry’s website.
"It’s been a very tough year," Swindoll continues. "We have felt the huge financial impact of [the natural disasters], as people have compassionately given to those affected rather than to the ministry of Insight for Living."
The ministry just received a $250,000 gift from members of the board, but the gift is not enough, and is meant to challenge ordinary supporters to step up and fill the gap. Insight pleads with donors to give at a level of generosity that might even be called "sacrifice."
In November, the ministry cut back on staff and radio stations.
Other ministries have also reported decreased giving this year after the quake-tsunami disaster in South Asia, the U.S. Gulf hurricanes, the Pakistan quake, and other causes. Drained donors include the Salvation's Army, whose red-kettle donations are 25 percent less than they were at the same time last year.
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which represents 1,100 ministries, has admitted that the tsunami, hurricane, and Pakistan quake has taxed donors, yet still ask them to give.
"Even if you have been generous to the above causes, you are encouraged to support the traditional ministries you normally support, since many are feeling the effects of contributions diverted to these disasters," reads an ECFA statement on its website.
