Signs of vitality abound these days at St. Georgeâ??s Church in Maplewood, New Jersey. Attendance is up more than 10 percent in the past five years to 135. Each Sunday, newcomer parents and their young kids add to the laughter, banter, and joyful songs that fill the space.
But when Monday arrives and budgetary constraints come to bear, St. Georgeâ??s has less to sing about. While more are worshiping, fewer are pledging â?? 20 percent fewer than five years ago. Traditional stewardship messages are not resonating with a younger generation. The task of coming up with more than $300,000 yearly to run the church now falls to fewer than 100 pledging families.
Read Full Article »