The Wall Street Journal examines the economic crisis’ dichotomous impact on houses of worship: fewer dollars coming in, while  more being asked of them. This impossible situation reflecting individual family budgets.

Across the country, congregations of all sizes and denominations are struggling with issues of faith and finance as the recession grinds on. Churches are scouring their budgets for wasteful spending. And many … have taken the unusual step of reducing staff.

While the collection plate no longer overflows, churches are seeing an increase in requests for support — be it for spiritual guidance, monetary help or career advice. And religious leaders have the added task of explaining job losses and pay cuts in spiritual terms. Churches, synagogues and mosques have historically fared reasonably well during recessions, even as other institutions struggled. But the magnitude of the current downturn has caught up with places of worship, too.