A worsening United States economy is  a huge challenge to churches. Church leaders need to prepare for it.

Even among loyal churchgoers, spiking gasoline prices, rising unemployment, unsellable houses, consumer indebtedness, sagging confidence in the future, and mounting rage over fair play in the marketplace test our constituents’ willingness to support church as they know it.

Two of many examples: will Americans continue to contribute an average of $3,000 a year to their churches? Will they continue to subsidize out-of-the-way locations by driving 30 to 60 minutes at $10 to $20 a trip?

Deteriorating social conditions should be our call to action. What could churches be doing to prepare for tomorrow?

We could start by assuming that tomorrow will be different and therefore our institutional life must be different. It is time to cultivate fresh leaders grounded in creative problem solving and leveraging available resources.

We could take religion to the people. Think Internet-based community, neighborhood groups, delivering religious goods and services at workplaces, and iPod headsets. Think walking, not driving.

We could reexamine our facilities. If we insist on operating large buildings, then they should be open seven days a week and functioning at peak efficiency to serve societal needs. We must ignore complaints about sharing space with a brutish world.

We could demand accountability. It is time for leaders to focus on things that matter and to require performance. If a church isn’t growing, it must be shown how and expected to respond. Congregations must have strategies for the future and allocate resources effectively, not nostalgically.

Individuals could examine their faith — not only their religious preferences, but the place that God holds in their lives and what they are doing to make the world better. Clergy must nurture a break from nominal Christianity, even at the cost of being disliked.

Tom Ehrich is a writer, consultant, and leader of workshops. An Episcopal priest, he lives in New York City. The church wellness project can be found at www.churchwellness.com.