ELCA Assembly Receives Budget Proposal, Questions in Hearing

DENVER (ELCA) The first presentation of the 2000 and 2001 fiscal year budget proposals for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) came before the 1999 Churchwide Assembly in a plenary session here Aug. 17. The Rev. Robert N. Bacher, ELCA executive for administration, presented the proposals totaling more than $96 million for 2000 and more than $97 million for 2001.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
"The sources of this money may be surprising," Bacher said of the proposed 2000 budget that includes an anticipated increase of $1,417,500 in total income.
Not including funds for the World Hunger Appeal, 83 percent of the income for the churchwide budget comes from mission support, which is money given by the church's 11,000 congregations and 65 synods, Bacher said.
Bacher said he is often asked, "Where does the money go?" Mission is one place where money is allocated, he said.
"Mission is not something we create. The church exists to participate in God's mission," he said. "The church is a people called and sent to bear witness. This mission undergirds the budget."
The 2000 ELCA budget proposal can be divided into six major categories, Bacher said. He said $18.9 million is designated for witness, $14.6 million for nurturing members, $16.9 for service and justice, $2.7 million for unity, $21.6 for leadership development and $21.3 for mutual support.
Money in the churchwide budget goes to "people with a purpose," Bacher said. "It goes to people to deliver goods to provide service in an accountable way."
Budgeted funds also are given as "an offering to a loving God with a plan for us," Bacher said. Citing the biblical book of Jeremiah, Bacher said God has a plan for us, for our welfare and a future with hope.
Voting members are expected to decide on the budget Aug. 21.
"This is not a legislative act, but an act of faith -- stewardship in the world," Bacher said.
In a later hearing on the budget, participants asked specific questions of panel members.
Voting member John D. Litke, Huntington, N.Y., said, while revenue for the church has remained stable, inflation of three percent on expenditures will eventually create a problem for the ELCA.
"At long-term, you can't sustain that deferential," Litke said. He questioned the church's ability to spend on the short-term when the long-term budget may be at risk.
Bacher acknowledged Litke's concerns and stated that the ELCA is conscious of this trend.
The Rev. William E. Saunders, Columbus, Ohio, voiced concern for funding of candidates for ministry, an issue even more relevant as many candidates are second-career and have greater debt or expenses, he said.
The Rev. Guy S. Edmiston, bishop of the ELCA Lower Susquehanna Synod, said the ELCA Foundation and Division for Ministry have established a "Fund for Leaders in Mission," an endowment with the goal of financially supporting every synodically-endorsed candidate at an ELCA seminary who plans on serving the church.
The Rev. Ray L. Mehl, Apple Valley, Minn., asked the panel about the ELCA's policy on investing.
Richard L. McAuliffe, ELCA treasurer, said the endowment is invested by the ELCA Board of Pensions. Short-term monies are invested through a commercial bank so these assets can remain liquid, he said.
Litke questioned panel members on the effectiveness of raising money through short-term dedicated appeals compared to non-designated funds.
The Rev. Mark R. Moeller-Gunderson, executive director, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, said general mission support from congregations is the "primary engine" that funds the church.
Bacher spoke in favor of non-designated funds and said that if the churchwide office raises all the funds it creates a distance between itself and congregations and synods.
Curtis Johnson, Grosse Ile, Mich., said his congregation was starting a Mission Interpreter program in which one person keeps members informed on events around the world.
"People just don't know unless it's brought before them," Johnson said, adding that giving can increase when members are informed of needs.
The Rev. John L. Halvorson, coordinator for ELCA World Hunger Program, expressed gratitude that money given to the appeal increased this year even when gifts for disaster relief increased.

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