CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 2007 Churchwide Assembly of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved budget
proposals Aug. 10 for 2008 and 2009 The churchwide assembly, the
chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 6-
11 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall. About 2,000 people are
participating, including 1,069 ELCA voting members. The theme for
the biennial assembly is "Living in God's Amazing Grace: Thanks
be to God!"
The adopted budget for 2008 includes a "current fund fiscal
year income proposal" of $81,670,000 and a World Hunger income
proposal of $19,250,000. For 2009, the assembly adopted current
fund fiscal year income proposal of $81,920,000 and a World
Hunger income proposal of $20 million.
In discussions and reports earlier in the week, leaders of
the churchwide organization emphasized that in recent years
increasing revenue available for church operations has enabled
the possibility of expanding ministry and outreach in a number of
areas.
The Rev. Charles S. Miller, executive for administration,
office of the ELCA Presiding Bishop, pointed out in a plenary
session Aug. 9 that ELCA budgets have essentially remained at
about the same level since the church body was formed in 1987.
ELCA Treasurer Christina Jackson-Skelton told the assembly
that she was cautiously optimistic about current budgetary
figures and had high hopes for the World Hunger program in the
coming fiscal years.
The adopted income budget designated 81.2 percent to mission
support with 19.1 percent going to world hunger, with $6.9
million for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and $4.9 million
for Lutheran World Relief (LWR).
The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the
Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF now
has 141 member churches in 78 countries.
Baltimore-based LWR is a ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
individuals and parish groups in international relief,
development, advocacy and social responsibility.
The budget was passed with a vote of 800 to 7.
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Information about the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be
found at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/ on the Web.
* Lauren A. Lamb is a senior public relations and speech
communication major at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.
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
