wfn.org | Basic Mission Finance continues upward trend

["Wilma Shuffitt"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: February 25, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

99c-12

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- For the fourth year in a row, Basic 
Mission Finance giving increased. In 1998 gifts from 
individuals and congregations to the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ) mission fund totaled $20,447,651, a 
1.91 percent increase over 1997. 

	While giving to BMF has grown each year since 1994, this 
is the first year the increase has been more than 1 
percent. Record giving to the fund was in 1991 when gifts 
totaled $20,975,150.

	Gifts to Week of Compassion, the Disciples disaster aid 
and humanitarian assistance ministry, also showed an 
increase. Designated gifts totaled $826,377, a 144.43 
percent increase. Most of those funds were sent to help 
victims of Hurricane Mitch. Undesignated gifts also 
increased, totaling $2,168,611, an 11.93 percent increase 
over 1997. 

	Gifts to Reconciliation, the Disciples anti-racism 
ministry, increased as well. In 1998 Disciples gave 
$687,667, up 6.29 percent. Designated Reconciliation gifts 
were up 642.74 percent, totaling $58,454.

	Two regions showed double-digit percentage increases in 
BMF giving. The Canada region showed a 31.12 percent 
increase; giving was up by 21.48 percent in the Michigan 
region.

	1998 Basic Mission Finance giving continued a trend 
started in 1997. For the past two years gifts increased 
every month in comparison to the previous year.

	Winter storms, canceling church services across the 
Midwest, may have contributed to the end of the trend in 
the new year. The first report of 1999 showed a 12.6 
percent drop when comparing January 1999 to January 1998. 
"However, it is anticipated that this will be turned around 
in the next two months," said the Rev. Raymond Brown, 
interim Church Finance Council president.

                                                        
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