Though it remains to be seen how church bookstores will be impacted, some church ministries have been axed as a result of the economy.

The recession has "drained the financial resources of many congregations, seminaries and religious day schools," reported the Associated Press. "Some congregations have disappeared, and schools have been closed. In areas hit hardest by the recession, worshipers have moved away to find jobs, leaving those who remain to minister to communities struggling with rising home foreclosures, unemployment and uncertainty."

While religion "has a long history of drawing hope out of suffering ... there's little good news emerging from the recession," noted reporter Rachel Zoll. "Long after the economy improves, the changes made today will have a profound effect on how people practice their faith, where they turn for help in times of stress and how they pass their beliefs to their children."

David Roozen, a lead researcher for the Faith Communities Today multi-faith survey, which measures congregational health, said that in 2010 he expected to see 10-15% of congregations "saying they're in serious financial trouble."

The Association for Christian Schools International, which represents about 3,800 private schools, said that enrollment is down nationally by nearly 5%. About 200 Christian schools closed or merged in the last academic year—50 more than the year before.

Meanwhile, at least 80 members of the Association of Theological Schools, which represents graduate schools in North America, have seen their endowments drop by 20% or more.

Source: Associated Press

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