About 75% of IBSA churches considered the overall negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic “moderate” according to a recent survey reported by IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams in the IBSA Board Meeting March 29.
The figure was from the Church Needs Survey based on polling in late 2021. As evidence of their estimation of Covid’s impact, giving to IBSA churches in 2021 rebounded from both 2020 and 2019 levels. However, Cooperative Program (CP) giving as a percentage of undesignated giving dropped from 6.7% to 6.1% across all churches.
In his updates on 2022 so far, Adams noted while CP recovered somewhat in 2021, “giving through the first quarter 2022 slumped to just above 2020 levels to about 10% below 2019.”
Adams reported as 31 members of the IBSA Board of Directors gathered in Springfield, while two joined by phone. In addition to the financial reports, the Board welcomed new members, voted on committee recommendations, and heard Adams’ report on the Annual Church Profiles (ACP). A notable high 97% of IBSA member-churches completed their ACPs. Among the take-aways:
Encouraging signs in 2021 included increases in professions of faith (31%), VBS enrollment (+52%), and participation in state (+3.4%) and international (+2%) missions. Last year also saw 14 new churches started, and 16 others affiliating with IBSA.
Few ACP benchmarks have returned to their pre-pandemic levels. Overall, 2021 was the second straight year of accelerated declines in worship and Bible study attendance, and mission participation.
Members and monies
The Board welcomed new members: Paul Cooper, Marshall Baptist, Marshall; Jim Hanger, Logan Street Baptist, Mt. Vernon; Jonathan de la O, Starting Point Community, Chicago; Curt Lipe, Faith Baptist, Galesburg; Robert Strong, Meadow Heights Baptist, Collinsville; and Jill McNicol, First Baptist, Patoka.
Two vacant positions on the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services Board of Trustees were filled with the appointment of Ron Daniels, Belle Rive Missionary Baptist, and Rick Layne, Elm Street Baptist, Murphysboro.
The Board approved a recommendation brought by the Resource Development Committee to amend the make-up of the Investment Committee. According to Chair Josh Bledsoe, the move will allow the committee to add two members with more knowledge in the area.
The Investment Committee is comprised of the Board officers, Resource Development Committee Chair plus an additional member of that committee based on investment experience or expertise. The Committee serves in an advisory role to the Executive Director and Operations Team Administrative Director.
The Board also approved the 2021 IBSA audit by Capin Crouse.
Renovations to the east wing of the IBSA Building’s first floor are expected to begin in the next few months. The wing, which has seen few alterations since it was built in 1971, will be remodeled into meeting space using reserve funds.
What churches need
In addition to the estimation of Covid’s impact on their churches as “moderate,” the two most frequently requested post-pandemic needs requested were in “re-engaging effectively with their communities” and “re-mobilizing for mission involvement.” The areas in which IBSA churches expressed the most need were evangelism, leadership development, revitalization, and discipleship.
Adams told Board members 356 respondents, including 283 pastors or staff, participated in the Church Needs Survey. Among the results:
- A majority of churches felt IBSA’s new strategic measures were “most effectively impacting their health,” with fewer churches yet to see “breakthroughs in their health.”
- Survey respondents indicated IBSA should give “more” emphasis to “collegiate ministry, revitalization, and missions opportunities” within the state while suggesting “less” emphasis be given to “church planting in Chicago and St. Louis, missions outside Illinois, and planting among ethnic/language groups.”
- A majority 73% saw “revitalization needed in their church in the next year or two” or sooner.
- Consistent with the last several years, a majority preferred the CP allocation—43.5% national SBC/56.5% state—to remain the same (60%) or for more to remain within Illinois (30%).
- The Illinois Baptist newspaper remains the most common means by which respondents reported receiving IBSA communications. The IBSA.org website followed at a close second.