DENVER (ELCA) -- Although the total operating costs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) exceeded total revenue of the church by more than $300,000, operating costs were still $1.2 million below budget, said Richard L. McAuliffe, ELCA treasurer, in his report to the ELCA Church Council meeting here Aug. 15.
The council meeting preceded the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly which meets here Aug. 16-22. The biennial assembly is the chief governing body of the ELCA.
McAuliffe reported on the operating budget results of the five-month = period ending June 30. Operating costs increased more than $2 million from the previous year, while operating expenses increased more than $2.3 million, creating the $300,000 deficit. However, the church's $34,197,000 actual expenditures were $1.2 million lower than the $35,416,000 budget for the five-month period.
Income from congregations through synods in the form of mission support increased $1,011,783 from 1998, McAuliffe said. Mission support to the churchwide budget increased in 54 of the ELCA's 65 synods for a total increase of 3.8 percent, he said. In June total mission support from synods reached a new high, $67.8 million, McAuliffe said.
Bequests and trusts designated for specific areas for ministry increased more than $530,000 from 1998, he said. The budget for specific bequests and trusts was $500,000, and more than $1.5 million was actually received during the five-month period.
Contributions to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal of more than $4 million increased $531,000 from the previous year, McAuliffe said. ELCA Disaster Response funds received to date in 1999 amount to more than $3 million, he said.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
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
