ELCA Churchwide Budget
Budget Process and Background
As a steward of the resources that God has provided, this church should organize itself to make the most effective use of its resources to accomplish its mission.
-- 5.01.i of the ELCA Constitution
The authority for the budget development process is described in this church’s
Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions. (The following references are from those documents.)
Budget development in and by the churchwide organization is an interactive process, the purpose of which is to allocate financial resources that strengthen this church’s participation in God’s mission (4.02.) in ways appropriate to the role of the churchwide organization (11.11. and 11.12.). Budget development is an exercise in stewardship: "As a steward of the resources that God has provided, this church should organize itself to make the most effective use of its resources to accomplish its mission" (5.01.i).
The appropriate roles of the "players" in budget development are as follows:
- Presiding bishop provides for preparation of the budget (13.21.f.).
- Executive for administration, under the direction of the presiding bishop, develops the budget, reports to the Church Council and Churchwide Assembly through the Budget and Finance Committee (15.11.B91.d.).
- Church Council, upon recommendation of the presiding bishop, submits budget proposals to Churchwide Assembly and approves expenditure authorization (14.21.04.).
- Budget and Finance Committee presents budget to Church Council for consideration by Churchwide Assembly (14.41.A91.).
- Churchwide Assembly adopts a budget for the churchwide organization (12.21.e.).
- Unit boards request budget support for programs and ensure operation within expenditure authorization (16.11.31.).
- Cabinet of Executives and Planning Team provide common counsel and coordination (13.21.h.).
- Office of the Treasurer estimates income and provides advice (11.41.03.).
Current Financial Information