Title: Income for ELCA Congregations Almost $2.75 Billion in 2006 ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 25, 2007
Income for ELCA Congregations Almost $2.75 Billion in 2006 07-134-FI/LA*
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,470 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 2006 exceeded $2.7 billion, according to statistics compiled by the ELCA Office of the Secretary. Total receipts amounted to $2,748,068,336 -- up 2.65 percent or $71 million from the previous year.
The 2006 increase was slightly less than the 2.94 percent growth in 2005, but more than the 1.79 percent growth experienced in 2004 and the 2.45 percent growth in 2003. Congregational receipts grew nearly $242 million in the past five years, he reported.
Of the total congregational income, $1,909,390,439 was received in regular, unrestricted offerings -- up $62,812,035 or 3.40 percent in 2006 -- compared to a more than 2.50 percent increase in 2005, a 3 percent increase in 2004, and a nearly 4 percent increase in 2003.
Funds held by congregations in endowments and investments exceeded regular giving in 2006. Congregations held $2,161,107,827 in savings and investments, endowments and memorial funds -- up $289,595,801 or 15.47 percent over 2005, Almen said.
The average regular giving per confirmed member in 2006 grew to more than $626, an increase of nearly 4.62 percent. The increase in 2005 over 2004 was 4.81 percent, and 2004 over 2003 was nearly 3.85 percent.
Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating expenses amounted to $1,835,443,858. That represented an increase of $39,801,679 or 2.21 percent over 2005, Almen said.
Regular "mission support" -- monies passed from congregations to the church's 65 synods and to the churchwide organization to support the national and international ministries of the ELCA -- increased 0.95 percent following a five-year decline. Mission-support funding for 2006 was $131,568,011 -- an increase of $1,244,809 from the previous year. Regular mission support in 2004 was $130,490,038 -- down $1,048,261 from 2003.
Synod-related "Special Benevolences" increased 8.61 percent or $1,486,341 to $18,730,876. Income for community benevolent causes increased by nearly 8 percent or $2,938,558 to $41,056,320 in 2006, Almen reported.
Of total income, ELCA congregations devoted 90.64 percent to operating expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction and other expenses. Another 6.94 percent 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, 62.30 percent reported that they had no debt in 2006. Estimated value of assets owned by congregations exceeded $19 billion. -- -- --
Information about the Office of the Secretary is at http://www.ELCA.org/secretary/ on the ELCA Web site.
* 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