CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting here Nov. 14-16, approved the church's 1998 fiscal-year spending authorization of $77.5 million. The council also approved an initial Mission Operating Fund allocation of $1 million; an Expanded Ministry Fund of $200,000; and a 1998 World hunger spending authorization of $12.4 million.
"This year things are reasonably okay," said Sandra G. Gustavson, Athens, Ga. Gustavson serves as chair for the council's budget and finance committee.
During the ELCA's fifth biennial Churchwide Assembly in Philadelphia Aug. 14-20, voting members approved a 1998 spending plan of $77.5 million and of $78.2 million for 1999. The ELCA approves its annual budget two at a time, since the biennial assemblies must approve them in advance.
Support for the ELCA's ministry -- much of which funds global mission work, the theological education of new pastors, and the planning of new U.S. congregations -- originates in nearly 11,000 Lutheran congregations. Funds are sent to 65 regional synods, each of which forwards an average of 55 percent to the ELCA for its budgeted programs.
An initial amount of $700,000 was allocated to begin the process of implementation of the "Initiatives to Prepare for a New Century," which were affirmed by the Assembly. The Initiatives are a catalyst for Lutherans to deepen worship life, teach the faith, witness to God's action in the world, strengthen one another in mission, help the children, connect with youth and young adults, and develop leaders for the next century.
The 1997 ELCA budget includes a $400,000 line for "Expanded Ministry." This money is to be allocated by the Church Council, upon recommendation of the bishop of this church, "if actual income received in 1997 warrants such an allocation." The approach funding expanded ministry is to provide "flexibility to deal with the uncertainties" of income projections and to provide "a degree of flexibility in establishing priorties." The council approved the allocation of the 1997 Expanded Ministry Fund, as recommended by the bishop of the ELCA.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or
NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
