The National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices (NSCEP) examines congregations’ theological, cultural, and practical orientations toward money. To date, much about congregations’ economic practices are simply unknown. Most research on charitable giving, particularly faith-based giving, has focused on individuals (the givers) rather than institutions (the recipients of the giving).
The NSCEP report provides a deeper understanding of how congregations’ receive, manage, and spend their financial resources.
Produced by
Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Funded by
Lilly Endowment, Inc.
AUTHORS
David P. King
IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Brad R. Fulton
Indiana University, O’Neill School of Public and Environment Affairs
Christopher W. Munn
IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Jamie L. Goodwin
IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
RESEARCH TEAM
Dr. David P. King
Study Co-Director
David King is a professor at Indiana University and director of Lake Institute. He earned a Ph.D. from Emory University with a specific focus on American religious history. David is also an ordained minister with over 10 years of experience serving local congregations.
Dr. Brad R. Fulton
Study Co-Director
Brad Fulton is a professor at Indiana University. He earned a Ph.D. in sociology from Duke University with a specific focus on the role of congregations in society. Brad also has over 15 years of experience working as a campus minister.
Dr. Christopher W. Munn
Postdoctoral Researcher
Chris Munn is a sociologist and postdoctoral researcher at IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Author of several papers on racial inequality, social capital and racially diverse religious networks, Munn’s work uses social network analysis to examine how interracial relations matter for social inequality.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Nancy T. Ammerman
Professor of Sociology of Religion, Boston University
Director of the Finding Religion in Everyday Life Project
Mark Chaves
Professor of Sociology, Religious Studies, and Divinity, Duke University
Director of the National Congregations Study
Rick Dunham
Chief Executive Officer, Dunham+ Company
Chair of Giving USA Board
Korie L. Edwards
Associate Professor of Sociology, THE Ohio State University
Director of the Religious Leadership and Diversity Project
Mary L. Gautier
Senior Research Associate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Georgetown University
Director of the U.S. Parish Life Study
Gerardo Marti
Professor of Sociology, Davidson College
Director of The Latino Protestant Congregations Project
Patricia Snell Herzog
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Co-Director of the Center for Social Research, University of Arkansas The Science of Generosity Project
Scott Thumma
Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research
Director of Faith Communities Today Study (FACT)
ENDORSERS OF THE NATIONAL STUDY OF CONGREGATIONS’ PRACTICE (NSCEP)
Mark Galli, Editor in Chief
Christianity Today
Peter Marty, Publisher
The Christian Century
Dr. Leith Anderson, President
National Association for Evangelicals
Dan Busby, President
Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
Phillip Martin, CEO
The Church Network
Dr. Warren Bird, Director of Research
Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability (ECFA)
Dr. Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham Distinguished Chair of Church, Mission, and Evangelism
Wheaton College
Dr. Mark Labberton, President
Fuller Theological Seminary
Bishop George E. Battle Jr., Senior Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Kerry Alys Robinson, Global Ambassador
Leadership Roundtable
Kim Smolik, CEO
Leadership Roundtable
Dr. Iva E. Carruthers, General Secretary
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference
Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Lott Carey Global Missional Community
Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Connectional Ministries
United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Clayton L. Smith, Executive Pastor for Generosity and Stewardship, Emeritus
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
Rev. Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
William E. Simon, Jr., Co-Founder
Parish Catalyst
Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, President
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Rev. Kenneth M. Hennings, Chairman
Council of District Presidents, President of the Texas District The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, General Secretary
American Baptist Churches, USA
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Dr. Scott Thumma, Director
Hartford Institute for Religious Research
Marcia Shetler, Executive Director/CEO
Ecumenical Stewardship Center
Dr. Mary L. Gautier, Senior Research Associate
Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate
Dr. Ihsan Bagby, author of The Mosque in America: A National Portrait
University of Kentucky, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Rev. Bruce Barkhauer, Director of Center for Faith and Giving
Disciples of Christ
Rev. Terry Shue, Director of Leadership Development
Mennonite Churches USA
Rev. Dr. Beryl Jantzi, Stewardship Education Director
Everence Financial (Mennonite Foundation)
Rev. Doug Clay, General Superintendent
General Council of the Assemblies of God
Rabbi Dr. Deborah Waxman, President
Jewish Reconstructionist Communities
Rev. Dr. Rick Spleth, Indiana Regional Minister
Disciples of Christ
Dr. Steve Vernon, Associate Executive Director
Baptist General Convention of Texas
Rev. Dr. Samuel Tolbert, President
National Baptist Convention in America
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
Catholic Diocese of Louisville, KY
W. Brian Walsh, Founder
Faith Direct
Dr. Shariq Siddiqui, Visiting Director
Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at IUPUI
Azhar Azeez, President
Islamic Society of North America