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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 16, 1999

ELCA COUNCIL RECEIVES BUDGET REPORT
99-CWA-01-LS

     DENVER (ELCA) -- Although the total operating costs of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) exceeded total revenue of
the church by more than $300,000, operating costs were still $1.2
million below budget, said Richard L. McAuliffe, ELCA treasurer, in his
report to the ELCA Church Council meeting here Aug. 15.
     The council meeting preceded the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
which meets here Aug. 16-22. The biennial assembly is the chief
governing body of the ELCA.
     McAuliffe reported on the operating budget results of the five-month period ending June 30. Operating costs increased more than $2
million from the previous year, while operating expenses increased more
than $2.3 million, creating the $300,000 deficit. However, the church's
$34,197,000 actual expenditures were $1.2 million lower than the
$35,416,000 budget for the five-month period.
     Income from congregations through synods in the form of mission
support increased $1,011,783 from 1998, McAuliffe said.  Mission support
to the churchwide budget increased in 54 of the ELCA's 65 synods for a
total increase of 3.8 percent, he said.  In June total mission support
from synods reached a new high, $67.8 million, McAuliffe said.
     Bequests and trusts designated for specific areas for ministry
increased more than $530,000 from 1998, he said. The budget for specific
bequests and trusts was $500,000, and more than $1.5 million was
actually received during the five-month period.
     Contributions to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal of more than $4
million increased $531,000 from the previous year, McAuliffe said. ELCA
Disaster Response funds received to date in 1999 amount to more than $3
million, he said.

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