ELCA Assembly Learns of Decrease in 2010-2011 Income Expectations

MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Budget proposals for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reflect a decrease in income expectations for 2010 and 2011. Voting members of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly received the first presentation of budget proposals for the denomination on Aug. 18.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including the 1,045 voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."
The assembly will consider a proposed current fund income of $76.69 million for 2010 -- a 6.4 percent decrease from the 2009 proposal approved by the 2007 assembly.  It will also consider a proposed $18.7 million income goal for the ELCA World Hunger in 2010. This represents a decrease from the $20 million goal for 2009 approved by the 2007 assembly.
The assembly will also consider a current fund income proposal of $75.77 million for the churchwide organization and a World Hunger income goal of $19 million for 2011.
In presenting the budget proposals to the assembly, the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, ELCA executive for administration, said budget development is an exercise in stewardship.
She said the ministries of the church are primarily funded through mission support, "the single most important form of income" for the churchwide organization. Mission support makes up 81.2 percent of the ELCA's current operating income. Mission support funds are provided by congregations to the 65 synods of the church, which share a percentage of those funds with the churchwide organization.
Expenditure of the 2010 budget, which totals $95.39 million, is based on the ELCA's five strategic directions, governance procedures, coordination and support, said Bullock.
The proposed expenses for 2010 are:
+ $22.7 million for supporting congregations and evangelical outreach
+ $20.7 million for "stepping forward as a public church" in responding to human needs
+ $12.9 million for growing global and ecumenical companionships
+ $12.1 million to bring forth and support faithful, wise and courageous leaders
+ $1.6 million for governance procedures -- decisions made through the Church Council, assembly and program committees
+ $5.4 million for stewardship and mission funding
+ $19.7 million for coordination and support -- includes research and planning, administrative and organizational service, and communication.
- - -
Information about the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at http://www.elca.org/assembly on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog