CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income in 2005 for the 10,549
congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) approached $2.7 billion, according to statistics compiled
by the ELCA Office of the Secretary.
Total receipts amounted to $2,676,901,588 -- up 2.94 percent
or almost $76 million from the previous year. The 2005 increase
was more than the 1.79 percent growth experienced in 2004 and the
2.45 percent growth in 2003. In the 2002-2005 period,
congregation receipts grew nearly $226 million.
Of the total congregational income, $1,846,578,404 was
received in regular, unrestricted offerings -- up $47,296,985 or
2.62 percent in 2005, compared to a more than three percent
increase in 2004 and a nearly four percent increase in 2003.
Funds held by congregations in endowments and investments
almost matched regular giving in 2005. Congregations held
$1,871,512,026 in savings and investments, endowments and
memorial funds -- up $78,788,575 or 4.39 percent from the
previous year.
The average regular giving per confirmed member in 2005 grew
to more than $598, an increase of 4.81 percent. The increase in
2004 over 2003 was 3.85 percent.
Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local
operating expenses amounted to $1,795,642,179. That represented
an increase of $67,328,140 or 3.89 percent over 2004.
Regular "mission support" -- monies passed from
congregations to the ELCA's 65 synods and to the churchwide
organization to support the national and international ministries
of this church -- decreased 0.12 percent, following a three-year
decline of 3.07 percent. Mission support funding for 2005 was
$130,323,202. Regular mission support was $130,490,038 in 2004 -
- down from $131,538,299 in 2003 and $133,204,219 in 2002.
Synod-related "Special Benevolences" decreased by almost
5.95 percent or $1,092,214 to $17,244,535. Income for community
benevolent causes increased $1,176,031 or more than 3 percent to
$38,117,762 in 2005.
Of total income, ELCA congregations devoted 90.14 percent to
operating expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction and
other expenses. Another 6.94 percent of the total was
contributed for synod and churchwide mission support, hunger and
disaster appeals, missionary sponsorship, Mission Partners and
designated causes. The remainder supported special synod and
local benevolences.
Of all ELCA congregations, 62.62 percent reported they had
no debt in 2005. Estimated value of assets owned by
congregations exceeded $18 billion.
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* The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is secretary of the ELCA.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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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
