wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Adopts Budgets for 2000 and 2001 (Corrected Text)

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 26, 1999

ELCA ASSEMBLY ADOPTS BUDGETS FOR 2000 AND 2001 (CORRECTED TEXT)
99-CWA-69-LS

     DENVER (ELCA) -- The 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved, by a vote of 689 to 14,
proposed operating budgets for 2000 and 2001. The proposals were
$83,490,000 for 2000 and $84,845,000 for 2001.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, met Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center.  More than
2,500 people participated, including 1,038 ELCA voting members.  The
theme for the biennial assembly was "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New
Century."
     Sandra Gustavson, chair of the ELCA Church Council Budget and
Finance Committee, introduced the budget report to the assembly for
vote. The budget was first presented to the assembly Aug. 17, and a
hearing on the budget was held later that day. No amendments to the
budget were submitted by voting members.
     Budget funds are used to support the activities of the ELCA
churchwide offices which include ordained ministry, congregational
support and programming, outreach, mission, education, ecumenical
affairs, research, communication and other functions.
     The budget includes the "flexibility for the church council to
make needed adjustments as more information becomes available with
time," Gustavson said, citing the possibility of income fluctuations.
     The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop and chair of
the assembly, gave time for floor discussion of the proposed budget.
     John D. Litke, a voting member from the ELCA Metropolitan New York
Synod, said he reviewed the ELCA's budget history and found income has
increased only slightly in the past 10 years. Litke said 3 percent
inflation over those years leaves the ELCA with a "declining real
income."
     "The speaker is certainly right," said Gustavson, adding that the
council is aware of the situation and the only real solution is "more
dollars."
     The Rev. Kevin S. Kanouse, Advent Lutheran Church, Arlington,
Texas, asked about the budget for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. He noted
the budget was $12.6 million and that the appeal staff set a goal to
raise $25 million for 1999.
     Gustavson said the income to the ELCA is reviewed monthly by the
Office of the Treasurer and there is "flexibility inherent to make use
of additional funds as they materialize." Funds for the World Hunger
Appeal come from individuals, congregations and synods.

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