wfn.org | ELCA Bishops Hear Positive Financial Report for 2000

[news@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 12, 2001

ELCA BISHOPS HEAR POSITIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2000
01-055-JB

     SAN ANTONIO (ELCA) -- In the fiscal year that ended Jan. 31,
income exceeded expenses by $2.9 million for the current operating funds
of the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), said Richard L. McAuliffe, ELCA treasurer.   McAuliffe
presented the report March 3 to the ELCA Conference of Bishops.
     The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the ELCA's 65
synod bishops, presiding bishop and secretary.  Members met here March
1-6.
     Receipts totaled $84.3 million for the fiscal year, up nearly 2
percent from the previous year, McAuliffe said. During the same period,
expenses were $81.4 million, an increase of 1 percent over the previous
year, he said.
     Mission support from congregations -- funds shared by synods with
the churchwide organization -- increased $1.4 million to total $69.4
million, McAuliffe said.
     "Thank you for your leadership in the stewardship mission of the
church," he told the bishops.
     Contributions to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal were $15.9 million,
down only slightly from record contributions in 1999, the appeal's 25th
anniversary year, McAuliffe reported.
     Following the report, the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, bishop of
the ELCA South Dakota Synod, asked if the actions of some congregations
to withhold or redirect funds was affecting overall financial figures.
A few congregations have expressed displeasure with a full communion
agreement of the ELCA with the Episcopal Church by withholding or
redirecting mission support dollars.
     Some impact has been reported in some synods from such actions,
McAuliffe said.
     When it meets April 6-9, the ELCA Church Council is expected to
authorize spending levels for the present fiscal year, based on income
forecasts, McAuliffe added.

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