DENVER (ELCA) -- The 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved, by a vote of 689 to 14, proposed operating budgets for 2000 and 2001. The proposals were $83,490,000 for 2000 and $84,845,000 for 2001.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, met Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center. More than 2,500 people participated, including 1,038 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly was "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
Sandra Gustavson, chair of the ELCA Church Council Budget and Finance Committee, introduced the budget report to the assembly for vote. The budget was first presented to the assembly Aug. 17, and a hearing on the budget was held later that day. No amendments to the budget were submitted by voting members.
Budget funds are used to support the activities of the ELCA churchwide offices which include ordained ministry, congregational support and programming, outreach, mission, education, ecumenical affairs, research, communication and other functions.
The budget includes the "flexibility for the church council to make needed adjustments as more information becomes available with time," Gustavson said, citing the possibility of income fluctuations.
The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop and chair of the assembly, gave time for floor discussion of the proposed budget.
John D. Litke, a voting member from the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod, said he reviewed the ELCA's budget history and found income has increased only slightly in the past 10 years. Litke said 3 percent inflation over those years leaves the ELCA with a "declining real income."
"The speaker is certainly right," said Gustavson, adding that the council is aware of the situation and the only real solution is "more dollars."
The Rev. Kevin S. Kanouse, Advent Lutheran Church, Arlington, Texas, asked about the budget for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. He noted the budget was $12.6 million and that the appeal staff set a goal to raise $25 million for 1999.
Gustavson said the income to the ELCA is reviewed monthly by the Office of the Treasurer and there is "flexibility inherent to make use of additional funds as they materialize." Funds for the World Hunger Appeal come from individuals, congregations and synods.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
