KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- When you have to pay more to put gas in your car, most of us have to cut somewhere else. But it's tough to cut back, when it comes to everyday necessitates like food, water, and your faith.

One church pastor we spoke with off-camera says his church is thousands of dollars behind in its budget, and that's with attendance holding steady.

We did find some churches that are not skipping a beat.

Higher gas prices. Tough economic times. But some churches are staying one-step ahead.

Gary Schmieder is the church administrator at Central Baptist Church in Bearden and says, "It really hasn't affected us much at all."

Central Baptist Bearden has a three-point-seven-million dollar budget. And its attendance continues to be strong.

Schmieder says, "We've just recently added another traffic control person because of all the cars we have in our parking lot to try to help our folks get in and out of our parking area."

At Central Baptist in Fountain City, business administrator Bill McConnell says,

"The cost to heat and cool the building, run the vans, get the supplies trucked in, feed the people, feed the kids. It all costs more."

Right now, Central Baptist Fountain City is staying even with last year.

McConnell says, "We've been fortunate because we really haven't seen a drop in attendance or really in tithing."

Church membership at Sevier Heights Baptist totals five-thousand and gas prices haven't slowed down its attendance.
David Harkins is the Executive Pastor at Sevier Heights Baptist Church and says, "People really like their cars. You know. And so, we still see a whole lot of cars coming in on Sunday morning."

Harkins says that things are pretty normal for the church's budget for this time of year. But he's quick to add that the economy could eventually force people to make some tough decisions.

Harkins says, "People have different priorities that they put on what they give-a-way. And it may be one of the first things that people will have to reduce or feel like they have to reduce."

And there may also be a silver lining to the tough times.

Schmieder says, "If things continually get worse, you know, you might even see our giving go up some as it responds to community needs for needing more benevolence needs."

For one church that's meeting its budget, the church pastor tells VolunteerTV that he "thanks the lord," and commends his congregation for its faithfulness.

And as a whole, a spokesperson for the Knoxville Diocese says offertory gifts are up even more than usual for the 47 parishes.