wfn.org | NCC adopts balanced budget

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 20, 2001 News media contact: Linda Bloom7(212) 870-38037New
York10-71B{546}

NOTE: This story may be used as a sidebar with story #545.

By United Methodist News Service

The adoption of a balanced 2001-2002 balance by the National Council of
Churches (NCC) executive committee should pave the way for continued funding
of the agency by the United Methodist Church.

Clare Chapman, an executive with United Methodist Commission on Christian
Unity and Interreligious Concerns, was part of a special financial task
force presenting a revised budget to the executive committee, which met just
prior to the NCC General Assembly Nov. 13-15 in Oakland, Calif.

The new budget total, around $5.7 million, reflected "what the actual
revenue was in the prior year," Chapman told United Methodist News Service.
The task force reduced projected spending for 2001-2002 from a previous
total of more than $7 million.

If the NCC receives additional income from fundraising or other sources, the
money will be placed in unrestricted reserve accounts, she said.

The Rev. Bruce Robbins, the commission's chief executive, said the staff
plans to be in conversation with the commission's executive committee and
officials of the United Methodist General Council on Finance and
Administration about the recent financial measures taken by the NCC to
control spending.

"It's our expectation that because the budget has been balanced...the
funding will be continued," he added. Currently, the United Methodist Church
allocates around half a million dollars a year to the NCC through its
Interdenominational Cooperation Fund.

Two years ago, the commission had temporarily suspended NCC funding because
of concerns about the ecumenical agency's fiscal policies and management.
The special financial task force will continue until the NCC's Feb. 25-26
executive committee meeting, with the power to act on the committee's
behalf. 
# # #

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org