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Economic Crisis

Christianity Today's coverage of the economic crisis. Also see our section on money & business.

Tighter Times for Christian Financial World
Interbank lending crisis is hitting where subprime mortgages missed.
By Ken Walker

Speaking Out
God Is In Control During the Financial Crisis
God often uses adversity for his greatest blessings and the markets are his.

SPEAKING OUT
The Engine of the Market
It's not capital. Why wealthy evangelicals and others need to reconsider executive compensation.

Church Giving Outlook: You've Got Some Time
Research shows that members' contributions stay steady through first years of recession.

A Good Time to Launch a Church Building Campaign?
Advice on expensive church projects in a time of economic turmoil.

Speaking Out
Pity for a Devastated Wall Street
The difficulty in times like this is treating the powerful with justice.

Speaking Out
A Christian View of the Economic Crisis
Is the economy really driven by greed?

After the Bailout, Government-Owned Churches?
But law profs say church-state problems are unlikely.

Christian Financial World Sees Silver Lining in Banking Mess
Firms have generally avoided debt and speculative practices, experts and insiders say.

Seminaries tighten their belts
Seminaries in the 250-member Association of Theological Schools will likely be looking for ways to cut costs next year, said ATS executive director Daniel Aleshire in an interview. (The Christian Century)
First AME pastor apologizes to congregation for alleged misspending
At Sunday services, John J. Hunter says he regrets any embarrassment caused by the public airing of an audit's finding that he used church credit cards for personal purchases. (Los Angeles Times)
Clergy brace for downturn in giving
The next few weeks, between Thanksgiving and New Year's, will be a key indicator of how dramatically the nation's financial crisis will affect religious organizations. (The Boston Globe)
AIDS fight is worth it
For reasons both selfish and altruistic, U.S. shouldn't back down from this lifesaving commitment (Ken Hackett, Baltimore Sun)
The Prop 8 Campaign Money
Based on the facts that have come out so far, the state is right to look into whether the church broke state laws by failing to report campaign-related expenditures. (Editorial, The New York Times)
Gordon-Conwell announces budget cuts
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary will reduce staff and close its full service BookCentre as part of major initiatives to address a $1 million budget deficit.
Bible-translation project gets $50 million donation
A new effort to translate the Bible into every living language kicked off Saturday with the help of a $50 million anonymous gift to the Orlando-based Wycliffe USA, the world's largest Bible-translation company. (Orlando Sentinel)
Mall asks Salvation Army to quiet its famous bells
They've replaced the brass clappers with large metal paper clips to appease merchants who complained the bell ringers were too loud. (Associated Press)
Coming Together in a Crisis
Faith-Based Coalition Is Pushing for a Treasury Policy That Prevents More Foreclosures (The Washington Post)
Mainstream Houses Market Christian Fiction
They're finding it makes economic sense to market books with Christian undertones to a mainstream market—even if the company has a faith-oriented imprint in-house. (Publishers Weekly)

The United States fell into an economic crisis in 2008 when several large banks filed bankruptcy, the housing market fell, the dollar declined in value, and unemployment numbers grew. Our coverage of the crisis includes:

The Engine of the Market
It's not capital. Why wealthy evangelicals and others need to reconsider executive compensation.
D. Michael Lindsay | posted 10/03/2008 08:00AM

Pro-Bailout
Evangelicals say Congress' bailout bill is flawed but needed.
Sarah Pulliam | posted 10/03/2008 08:00AM

After the Bailout, Government-Owned Churches?
But law profs say church-state problems are unlikely.
Ruth Moon | posted 10/01/2008 10:00AM

Where Do Evangelicals Stand on CEO Compensation?
Some evangelical CEOs defend their large salaries while others opt out.
Andrea Useem | posted 10/01/2008 10:00AM

Christian Financial World Sees Silver Lining in Banking Mess
Firms have generally avoided debt and speculative practices, experts and insiders say.
Ken Walker | posted 9/29/2008 10:00AM

A Christian View of the Economic Crisis
Is the economy really driven by greed?
Al Mohler | posted 9/29/2008 10:00AM

Q & A: Dave Ramsey
The popular Christian financial adviser on why he thinks the bailout is a disaster.
Interview by Sarah Pulliam | posted 9/26/2008 11:13AM

In Crisis, Wall Street Turns to Prayer
Financial meltdown triggers prayer sessions citywide.
Tony Carnes | posted 9/19/2008 11:53AM

Philanthro-Pinch
Economic downturn sparks worries over giving.
Lisa Parro | posted 7/11/2008 09:35AM

Cornerstone Falters
Real estate investments bankrupt Presbyterian-affiliated group.
Ken Walker | posted 7/10/2008 09:27AM

Surviving the Mortgage Crisis
Most Christian lenders remain strong during sub-prime debacle.
Brad A. Greenberg | posted 10/12/2007 09:28AM

From CT's blogs:

Dave Ramsey's take on the bailout
Sarah Pulliam | September 23, 2008 6:01PM

Bailout's potential impact on church-state relations
Sarah Pulliam | September 22, 2008 4:45PM

Seeing Jesus at Broad and Wall Streets
New York City evangelicals call for prayer for finance industry after 500-point Dow meltdown.
Timothy C. Morgan | September 15, 2008 8:33PM

The Death of Uber-Consumption
The end of 17 years of borrowing-fueled spending.
Rob Moll | September 12, 2008 8:21PM