A salary and economic outlook study conducted through Leadership Network with Church Executive involving 56 very large churches--mostly evangelical megachurches--reveals that 44% of them are facing capital expansion issues in the coming months. And that capital campaign trend doesn't look to change anytime soon.

When asked, "Is your church planning any of the following emphases in 2007?" the first-ranked choice among the six options (almost double the second-ranked choice) is "a capital funds drive for new property or building."

"In an age when multiple services, multiple venues, and even multiple campuses are widely utilized, churches still find themselves investing heavily in bricks, mortar and technology equipment," says Warren Bird, Director of Research at Leadership Network, and primary writer of the report. "Newer churches eventually build a permanent facility or they often extensively adapt their rental facilities," Bird continues. "Older churches face continual maintenance and updating needs. Growing churches--new or old--must constantly expand to accommodate more people, and all churches at some point develop new ministries that require major capital investments."

Surveyed churches use 14% of their budget for ministry beyond the congregation.

The capital campaign is not always for the direct benefit of the church raising the money. According to the survey, 23% of responses indicate that during 2007 they will be making "an appeal to plant multiple new congregations," and 14% said that during 2007 they will be making "a gift to mission causes close to or more than $1 million." Both initiatives bring financial implications with them.

Among the other 2007 plans of the surveyed churches, 19% will be making "an appeal to launch a new worship site" of their own congregation, 14% "a debt retirement funds drive" and 9% "a large appeal for any denominational cause of any type." Salary Range Another noteworthy topic in the survey results involves the salary range of the senior staff. The survey asks about cash salary plus housing allowance for . . .