CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,816 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 2000 amounted to $2,387,673,220, up $126,468,870 or 5.59 percent from 1999, as reported in the annual tabulation of statistics from congregations, according to the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary.
Of total congregational receipts, $1,606,649,819 was received in regular, unrestricted offerings, up 6.01 percent or $91,155,870. From 1998 to 1999, the increase in regular giving by members was 4.36 percent.
The growth in giving by members to congregations was significant in 2000. The increase in income for congregations was substantially greater than the reported expenditures.
Congregations in 2000 held more than $1,620,305,915 in savings and investments, endowments, and memorial funds -- up $108,111,303 from 1999.
The average regular giving per confirmed member increased from $474.66 in 1999 to $506.90, up 6.79 percent or an increase per confirmed member of $32.24.
Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating expenses amounted to $1,498,994,534. That was an increase of $80,911,454 or 5.70 percent over 1999.
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 2.25 percent. Actual "mission-support" funding for 2000 was $133,306,390, up $2,937,337 from $130,369,053 in 1999.
"Specific Mission Support," formerly called Designated Gifts, increased dramatically. An increase of 42.7 percent from $8,101,390 in 1999 to $11,561,014 in 2000 was reported.
"Vision for Mission," an annual special appeal of this church, decreased 7.84 percent from a total of $419,570 in 1999 to $386,655 in 2000.
Contributions reported by congregations to the World Hunger Appeal and Lutheran Disaster Response were down 14 percent in 2000. The actual dollar amount reported by congregations for 2000 was $12,579,535. The year 1999 was the 25th anniversary of the World Hunger Appeal.
Funding for missionary sponsorship grew 3.69 percent in 2000. The actual figure for missionary sponsorship was reported at $5,880,345, up $209,637. Mission Partners giving increased 14.57 percent in 2000 to $4,796,494.
Synodically related "Special Benevolences" increased 4.54 percent from $16,193,284 in 1999 to $16,929,729 in 2000. Money for community benevolent causes was up 12 percent -- from $3,282,766 to $30,396,835 in 2000.
Congregations reported a 1.84-percent increase in other expenses, up $1,685,541 to $92,889,855. Almost two-thirds -- 63.68 percent -- of ELCA congregations reported that they had no debt in 2000.
The number of bequests received by congregations decreased 621 to 5,947 but amounted to $95,587,027, up 19.62 percent in 2000 from 1999.
Of the total income of ELCA congregations, 89.92 percent was devoted to operating expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction, and other expenses. Another 7.95 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.
* The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is secretary of the ELCA.
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
