“Survey results reveal that 61% of nonprofits reported a decline in government funding in 2025. Of all respondents, 62% of nonprofits also reported revenue growth. Of 12 sectors represented, Religion was the 4th highest sector in increased revenue, with 65% reporting an increase.” - MinistryWatch
“Martin especially highlighted the report’s evidence of a rebound in giving: after two consecutive years of inflation-adjusted declines, cash giving to ECFA members has turned around, increasing 1.5% after inflation.” - MinistryWatch
“A lot of smart people—including many who have made a career helping the ‘least and the lost’ in our broken world—say the answer to that question is ‘no.’” - Religion Unplugged
“…the oldest churchgoers (those over the age of 65) are the most likely to say they participated in any type of volunteer work in the previous year (40%).” - Lifeway
“Open Doors USA is now Global Christian Relief, but there is little indication of what led to the break.” - CToday
“The new study of people’s giving intentions across the nation shows a whopping 90% of donors expect to give the same — or even more — to charity this year compared with last year, which smashed records.” - RNS
“US forces are withdrawing after 20 years, but the story of Christian aid work goes far beyond military conflict.” - CToday
…how do we properly respond to a big world in which needs surface according to their “newsworthiness” but rarely get solved immediately, and instead just disappear from our notice?—John Stackhouse
The first thing I want to say about volunteerism and “giving back” is that I don’t believe in such things as an “unfair advantage” or “luck.” If you as parents work hard to feed, clothe, and shelter your children; you love and nurture them, pushing them to be responsible, caring members of society; you spend time, energy and money to ensure they have a solid education so they can succeed in life—then you are a normal family.
What isn’t and shouldn’t be accepted as normal is neglectful, violent, or substance-abusing parents. Children aren’t “lucky” because their parents don’t beat them or there’s actually nutritious food in the fridge. This attitude makes neglect and abuse the norm, and it implies that inhabiting a loving home is some kind of magical “only if you are fortunate” thing.
We understand that all good things come from God, but many good things are a natural consequence of prudent behavior—sowing and reaping works just as well for the unregenerate as for those who are redeemed. The eternal reaping comes later, but that’s not what I’m talking about here.
“…dozens of evangelical leaders—have eagerly shivered and shaked their way through the ice bucket challenge, despite concerns from Catholic leaders and pro-life groups that the viral video craze may be sending millions to fund embryonic stem cell research.” CT
