CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,657 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 2003 was nearly $2.6 billion, according to statistics compiled by the ELCA Office of the Secretary.
Total receipts amounted to $2,554,509,414, up 2.45 percent or $61.2 million from the previous year, said the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary. The information was submitted by congregations. The 2003 increase exceeded the 1.7 percent growth experienced in 2002, he said. In the two-year period of 2002-2003, congregation receipts grew more than $100 million, Almen said.
Of the total congregational income, $1.7 billion was received in regular, unrestricted offerings, up $62 million or nearly 4 percent in 2003, versus a 1 percent increase in 2002 that amounted to $17 million that year.
For 2001 the percent of increase in regular giving by members grew 3.5 percent over 2000's figure. A 6 percent jump occurred in 2000 from the 1999 level of regular offerings.
Funds held in endowments and investments by congregations almost matched regular giving in 2003. Congregations held nearly $1.7 billion in savings and investments, endowments and memorial funds, up $55,085,966 (6.43 percent) from the previous year.
The average regular giving per confirmed member in 2003 was $550, up nearly 3 percent. The increase in 2002 over 2001 was 1.5 percent, and 2001 over 2000 was up almost 4 percent.
Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating expenses amounted to nearly $1.7 billion. That represented an increase of $51 million or 3 percent over 2002.
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 -- decreased 1.25 percent following a decline of 1.7 percent the previous year. Actual mission support funding for 2003 was $131,538,299, down $1.7 million from 2002. Regular mission support in 2002 amounted to $133,204,219, down $2.3 million from $135,520,471 in 2001.
Synodically related "special benevolences" grew by 6 percent or nearly $1 million to $16,918,758. Income for community benevolent causes was up almost 2 percent ($642,622) to $33,545,914 in 2003.
Of total income ELCA congregations devoted 91 percent to operating expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction and other expenses. Seven percent was contributed for synodical and churchwide mission support, hunger and disaster appeals, missionary sponsorship, Mission Partners and designated causes. The remainder supported special synodical and local benevolences.
Sixty-four percent of ELCA congregations reported that they had no debt in 2003. Estimated value of assets owned by congregations exceeded $16 billion.
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* The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is ELCA secretary.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
