Searching for meaning in the Haiti earthquake, author Rev. Mary McQueen writes about the Bible’s call for compassion and charity. Instead of asking “Why” such a terrible event occurred, it’s perhaps more productive to think about “How” we can help. She writes:
The Bible book of Ecclesiastes, (known as part of “Wisdom Literature”) focuses again and [...]

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 [...]

New survey shows Americans turning to churches big and small for financial in addition to spiritual support.
The survey, by LifeWay Research, a Christian polling firm based in Nashville, finds that 40% of pastors say they have church members out of work, and 37% say their church has increased spending to help the needy. (The survey [...]

Former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee this weekend introduces a fundraising network to help churches during these lean times. The Christian Values Network is being touted as a vehicle to help generate funds for churches and faith-based charities.
Christian Values Network is a free service that allows members to shop online at nearly 900 popular internet retailers who in [...]

1. Offering a dose of escape and a dash of hope, Christian fiction is selling strong during this time of economic adversity. Christian nonfiction is not doing as well:
Karen Ball, executive editor at Southern Baptist-owned B&H Publishing Group, said that people are looking for a way to escape from the bad news of layoffs and [...]

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach spoke with BiblEconomy about the roots of the financial crisis and how we transcend it.
“The collapse of our economy was caused not by an economic crisis but a spiritual crisis called greed, where you become voracious and insatiable. I believe that the Jewish community, and the Jewish religion has unique values that need [...]

As if the sheer loss of their donor’s wealth weren’t enough concern for non-profit groups, here’s a good explanation of why 501(c)(3)’s, including religious charities, are worried about new limitations on charitable donation tax deductions.
Sheldon Steinbach, a DC-lawyer who represents colleges and universities says the proposal could have drastic consequences for many groups:
“Any disincentive to [...]

Here’s a story that will blanch our own real and perceived suffering.
Despite his own organization’s difficulties, Franklin Graham joined Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and faith-based Samaritan’s Purse last week to bring food to hundreds of families along the frozen Yukon River. The harsher-than-normal winter has led to extreme cutbacks:
According to Graham’s organization, many along the Yukon [...]

VirtueOnline surveys Episcopal Dioceses and Parishes, which it describes as experiencing the “worst financial crisis since Depression.”

The New York Post says one Queens church is playing a kind of hardball with congregants, publishing “detailed breakdowns of members’ weekly donations” in its weekly bulletin.
“I don’t like it,” said Pat McGlinckey, 56. “It’s like they’re hitting below the belt to get us to give more.”
“It just left a bad taste in my mouth,” [...]