Income for ELCA Congregations Exceeds $2.2 Billion in 1999

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,851 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1999 was $2,261,204,350 -- up $140,896,720 or 6.64 percent from 1998, the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, reported in the annual tabulation of statistics from congregations.
Of total congregational receipts, $1,515,493,949 was received in regular, unrestricted offerings -- up 4.36 percent or $63,333,067. For 1998, the percent increase in regular giving by members over 1997 was 4.90 percent.
"The growth in giving by members to congregations was significant in 1999," said Almen, noting that the increase in income for congregations was substantially greater than the reported expenditures.
Congregations in 1999 held $1,512,194,612 in savings and investments, endowments, and memorial funds -- up $135,283,584 from 1998.
"The amount of increase in such savings and endowments was more than double the significant growth in regular income of congregations," Almen said.
The average regular giving per confirmed member increased from $447.89 in 1998 to $474.66, up 5.97 percent or an increase per confirmed member of $26.77.
Of the total income of ELCA congregations, 89.92 percent was devoted to operating expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction and other expenses. Another 7.41 percent was contributed for synodical and churchwide mission support, hunger and disaster appeals, missionary sponsorship, Mission Partners, and designated causes. The remainder supported synodical and local benevolences.
Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating expenses was $1,418,083,080. That amounted to an increase of $71,781,362 or 5.33 percent over 1998.
Regular "mission support" -- monies passed from congregations to the 65 synods and to the churchwide organization to support the national and international ministries of this church -- increased 2.72 percent. Actual mission-support funding for 1999 was $130,369,053 -- up $3,458,533 from $126,910,520 in 1998.
"Specific mission support," formerly called Designated Gifts, increased by 15 percent to $8,101,390 in 1999.
"Vision for Mission," an annual special appeal of the ELCA, decreased 22.67 percent from a total of $542,626 in 1998 to $419,570 in 1999.
Contributions reported by congregations to the World Hunger Appeal and Lutheran Disaster Response was 17.38 percent higher in 1999. The actual dollar amount reported by congregations for 1999 was $14,616,364. The year 1999 was the 25th anniversary of the World Hunger Appeal.
Funding for missionary sponsorship grew 12.12 percent in 1999. The actual figure for missionary sponsorship was reported at $5,670,708 -- up $613,218.
"Mission Partners" giving increased 12.30 percent in 1999 to $4,186,197. The program of the ELCA Division for Outreach links congregations to exchange support in a variety of ways without administrative costs.
Synodically related "special benevolences" decreased 1.36 percent from $16,416,918 in 1998 to $16,193,284 in 1999. However, money for community benevolent causes was up $1,770,108 -- 6.53 percent -- to $27,114,069 in 1999.
Congregations reported a 6.04 increase percent in other expenses = --=20 up $5,195,124 to $91,204,314. Almost two of every three ELCA congregations -- 63.61 percent -- reported that they had no debt in 1999.
The number of bequests received by congregations increased 909 to 6,568 and amounted to $79,904,839 -- up 1.90 percent in 1999 from 1998.

[* The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is secretary of the ELCA.]

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