Americans are becoming significantly less religious, and fewer are attending church. Endowed churches, and those that are planning for an endowment, must confront this change. Yet, recent research shows that many churchgoers are proud of their church community and optimistic when they see its vitality. How can an endowment help church leaders cultivate community and vitality? One first step is to embrace radical transparency, follow sound endowment management practices, and share them enthusiastically with the community you wish to create.
Led by endowment experts at the Episcopal Church Foundation and other endowment management institutions, our panel will discuss the basics of church endowment formation and management. This virtual session will serve as a primer for the in-person Endowment Pre-Conference at the Annual Conference on March 6 and 7. This session is open to all members of the Episcopal Parish Network regardless of Annual Conference registration, but it is required for this virtual event.