What Your Church Does with Your Offering

A new study reveals what happens with your money once it hits the offering plate. 

The study, conducted by the Leadership Network and Vanderbloeman Search Group, takes a look at the salary trends of more that 1,200 churches across the country. 

The primary aim of the study was to help churches get a better idea of how they are distributing money in the ministry. 

Researchers looked at churches with 500 or more attendees and found there is a direct link between church size and pastor salary. 

The study reports:

•     Church size is the best predictor of pastoral salaries
•     49 percent of the total church budget covers staffing costs
•     52 percent of churches spend at least 10 percent of their funds outside of their own congregation

Dr. Warren Bird, the study's author, says it isn't meant to judge but to teach church leaders, "What kinds of things are normal in churches our size, what are not," he said. "Not just in salary but in benefits."