wfn.org | Income for ELCA Congregations Exceeded $2 Billion in 1998

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 20, 1999

INCOME FOR ELCA CONGREGATIONS EXCEEDED $2 BILLION IN 1998
99-177-LA*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,862 congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1998 exceeded $2
billion for the second year in a row.  The 1998 total of $2,120,307,630
was up $113,354,246 or 5.64 percent from 1997, the Rev. Lowell G. Almen,
ELCA secretary, reported in the annual tabulation of statistics from
congregations.
     Of total congregational receipts, almost $1,452,160,882 was
received in regular, unrestricted offerings, up 4.90 percent.  For 1997,
the percent increase in regular giving by members over 1996 was 3.88
percent.
     "The growth in giving by members to congregations was significant
in 1998," Almen said, noting that the increase in income for
congregations was substantially greater than the reported expenditures.
     Congregations in 1998 held $1,376,911,028 in savings and
investments, endowments and memorial funds -- up $146,139,269 from 1997.
     "The amount of increase in such savings and endowments exceeded by
a substantial amount even the significant growth in regular income of
congregations," Almen said.
     The average regular giving per confirmed member increased from
$423.23 in 1997 to $447.89, up 5.82 percent or an increase per confirmed
member of $24.66.
     Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating
expenses was $1,346,301,718.  That amounted to an increase of
$56,676,326, or 4.39 percent over 1997.
     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 2.70
percent.  Actual "mission support" funding for 1998 was $126,910,520 --
up $3,336,655 from $123,573,865 in 1997.
     "Specific Mission Support," formerly called "Designated Gifts,"
increased by 38.19 percent to $7,044,456 in 1998.  The increase from
1996 to 1997 was $1,947,117.
     Another benevolence category that showed increase in 1998 was
"Vision for Mission," an annual special appeal of this church.  The
increase was 51percent from a total of $358,651 in 1997 to $542,626 in
1998.
     Contributions reported by congregations to the World Hunger Appeal
and Lutheran Disaster Response was 3.06 percent higher in 1998.  The
actual dollar amount reported by congregations for 1998 was $12,451,681.
     Funding for missionary sponsorship grew 1.73 percent after
experiencing a 9   percent increase from 1996 to 1997.  In 1998, the
actual figure for missionary sponsorship was reported at $5,057,490, up
$86,411.  Mission Partner giving increased 1.13 percent in 1998 to
$3,727,367.  Mission Partners is a program of the ELCA Division for
Outreach to provide direct assistance between congregations.
     Synod-related "Special Benevolences" decreased 2.25 percent from
$16,795,037 in 1997 to $16,416,918 in 1998.  Money for community
benevolent causes, however, was up $1,733,815 or 7.34 percent to
$25,343,961 in 1998.
     Congregations reported a 13 percent increase in other expenses, up
$9,898,240 to $86,009,190.  Of all ELCA congregations, 63.57 percent
reported that they had no debt in 1998.

* The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is secretary of the ELCA.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html