wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Receives Budget Proposal, Questions in Hearing

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 18, 1999

ELCA ASSEMBLY RECEIVES BUDGET PROPOSAL, QUESTIONS IN HEARING
99-CWA-19-LS

     DENVER (ELCA)   The first presentation of the 2000 and 2001 fiscal
year budget proposals for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) came before the 1999 Churchwide Assembly in a plenary session
here Aug. 17.  The Rev. Robert N. Bacher, ELCA executive for
administration, presented the proposals totaling more than $96 million
for 2000 and more than $97 million for 2001.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center.  There
are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Hope for a New Century."
     "The sources of this money may be surprising," Bacher said of the
proposed 2000 budget that includes an anticipated increase of $1,417,500
in total income.
     Not including funds for the World Hunger Appeal, 83 percent of the
income for the churchwide budget comes from mission support, which is
money given by the church's 11,000 congregations and 65 synods, Bacher
said.
     Bacher said he is often asked, "Where does the money go?" Mission
is one place where money is allocated, he said.
     "Mission is not something we create.  The church exists to
participate in God's mission," he said. "The church is a people called
and sent to bear witness.  This mission undergirds the budget."
     The 2000 ELCA budget proposal can be divided into six major
categories, Bacher said. He said $18.9 million is designated for
witness, $14.6 million for nurturing members, $16.9 for service and
justice, $2.7 million for unity, $21.6 for leadership development and
$21.3 for mutual support.
     Money in the churchwide budget goes to "people with a purpose,"
Bacher said. "It goes to people to deliver goods to provide service in
an accountable way."
     Budgeted funds also are given as "an offering to a loving God with
a plan for us," Bacher said. Citing the biblical book of Jeremiah,
Bacher said God has a plan for us, for our welfare and a future with
hope.
     Voting members are expected to decide on the budget Aug. 21.
     "This is not a legislative act, but an act of faith -- stewardship
in the world," Bacher said.
     In a later hearing on the budget, participants asked specific
questions of panel members.
     Voting member John D. Litke, Huntington, N.Y., said, while revenue
for the church has remained stable, inflation of three percent on
expenditures will eventually create a problem for the ELCA.
     "At long-term, you can't sustain that deferential," Litke said. He
questioned the church's ability to spend on the short-term when the
long-term budget may be at risk.
     Bacher acknowledged Litke's concerns and stated that the ELCA is
conscious of this trend.
     The Rev. William E. Saunders, Columbus, Ohio, voiced concern for
funding of candidates for ministry, an issue even more relevant as many
candidates are second-career and have greater debt or expenses, he said.
     The Rev. Guy S. Edmiston, bishop of the ELCA Lower Susquehanna
Synod, said the ELCA Foundation and Division for Ministry have
established a "Fund for Leaders in Mission," an endowment with the goal
of financially supporting every synodically-endorsed candidate at an
ELCA seminary who plans on serving the church.
     The Rev. Ray L. Mehl, Apple Valley, Minn., asked the panel about
the ELCA's policy on investing.
     Richard L. McAuliffe, ELCA treasurer, said the endowment is
invested by the ELCA Board of Pensions.  Short-term monies are invested
through a commercial bank so these assets can remain liquid, he said.
     Litke questioned panel members on the effectiveness of raising
money through short-term dedicated appeals compared to non-designated
funds.
     The Rev. Mark R. Moeller-Gunderson, executive director, ELCA
Division for Congregational Ministries, said general mission support
from congregations is the "primary engine" that funds the church.
     Bacher spoke in favor of non-designated funds and said that if the
churchwide office raises all the funds it creates a distance between
itself and congregations and synods.
     Curtis Johnson, Grosse Ile, Mich., said his congregation was
starting a Mission Interpreter program in which one person keeps members
informed on events around the world.
     "People just don't know unless it's brought before them," Johnson
said, adding that giving can increase when members are informed of
needs.
     The Rev. John L. Halvorson, coordinator for ELCA World Hunger
Program, expressed gratitude that money given to the appeal increased
this year even when gifts for disaster relief increased.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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