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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3281 notes).

Note 3281 by UMNS on Nov. 11, 1996 at 16:13 Eastern (4314 characters).

SEARCH: money, church, members, stewardship, Ronsvalle
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                             567(10-71B){3281}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Nov. 11, 1996

'Behind the Stained Glass Windows'
examines church's financial support

by Robert Lear*

                 by United Methodist News Service

     Money for the church may be as complex an issue as a theology
of God's grace, and as simple as putting pencils in the pews on
pledge Sunday.
     So say the authors of a just-published book examining in 380
pages of text, footnotes, charts and bibliography the dynamics of
financial support of congregations locally and the church's wider
mission in the world. 
     Behind the Stained Glass Windows by John and Sylvia Ronsvalle
is published by Baker Books and carries the subtitle "Money
Dynamics in the Church."  The Ronsvalles live in a "statistically
all-black" housing complex in Champaign, Ill.  In l970 they
founded "empty tomb, inc.," a nonprofit research and service
organization.
     Frequently critical of today's practices, the book reflects
eight years of study and interaction with pastors, local church
"leadership boards" and denominational officials in 14 Protestant
bodies, the Roman Catholic church, and seminaries.  The project
was funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
     The United Methodist Church and most "mainline" churches are
represented, as well as evangelical and Pentecostal bodies. 
Several predominantly ethnic congregations are cited in the book,
but no denominations as such.
     The Rev. Herbert L. Mather, a director of stewardship on the
staff of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, was among
denominational officials consulting on the project.  Mather said
the work provides a "very helpful look at attitudes" of people at
all levels in the broadly ecumenical project.
     Stated goal of Behind the Stained Glass Windows is "to
provide a description of what church members actually think about
money, the role it plays in church dynamics, and the implications
these attitudes have for the church as an institution."
     The book notes at the outset that denominations, "even many
that are growing in membership" are "receiving a smaller portion
of their members' income" in an era when significant
"discretionary income is a reality for most of the population."
     Church members today, the authors conclude, "demand a higher
level of comfort and services from their congregations than did
previous generations."  As a result, "pastors are feeling
pressured to offer more specialized services as they compete to
attract members," and the "church is not providing an authentic
alternative to society." 
     Congregations, the writers assert, "lack a common vision and,
perhaps by default, are becoming more and more coalitions of
special interest groups."  In some instances leaders in a
congregation resist expanding their vision and budgets lest they
loose power.
      The authors conclude that controversial denominational
debates appear to have little effect on giving, with the possible
exception of the issue of homosexuality.  "The turning inward of
congregations that is evident across the theological spectrum
appears to be related to other factors than mainly controversial
national positions."
     Steps suggested that might improve the situation include
better communication by denominations with congregations; more
emphasis on financial stewardship in seminaries; improved training
for clergy in financial management; pastors knowing what
individual members give; and development of "a constructive
theology of money" that "focuses the congregation outward."
     "If the church is not presenting a convincing challenge to
church members about what to do with their money, it is clear
people will find other ways to spend it," the authors conclude. 
"The church can't seem to come to terms with (money), and yet
cannot function without it."

                               # # #
     

     * Lear is retired news director of the Washington office of
United Methodist News Service now living in Wernersville, Pa.

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