NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The majority of pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention believe Christians should include a legacy gift to a ministry or church, but 86 percent of SBC churches provide no assistance to their congregation to help with estate planning, according to a recent study.
Lifeway Research conducted a survey of SBC pastors on behalf of the Southern Baptist Foundation designed to gauge the awareness and preparedness of churches to issues surrounding estate planning, investments and wills.
According to the survey, 84 percent of SBC churches received no estate gifts in the year preceding the poll. Eleven percent received one estate gift and just 1 percent received three or more gifts the previous year. Churches that reported receiving at least one gift bequest received an average of $22,507.
“One of the issues revealed by the research is the need for education,” said Warren Peek, president of the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Foundation.
“While the research shows pastors believe the estate planning of Christians should include gifts for the future health and financial ability of a church or ministry, four out of five pastors – 86 percent – have not provided their congregation with seminars or even basic information such as fliers …read more
From: LW Research
