ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 8, 2003 Income for ELCA Congregations Grows to $2.5 Billion in 2002 03-159-FI/LA* CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,721 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 2002 was nearly $2.5 billion, according to statistics compiled by the ELCA Office of the Secretary. Total receipts amounted to $2,493,316,925 -- up nearly $41 million or 1.7 percent from 2001, the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, reported on the basis of information submitted by congregations. Of the total congregational income, $1,680,187,672 was received in regular, unrestricted offerings -- up more than 1 percent or $17,246,523. For 2001, the percent of increase in regular giving by members over 2000 grew 3.5 percent. A 6 percent jump occurred in 2000 from the 1999 level of regular offerings. Funds held by congregations in endowments and investments almost matched regular giving in 2002. Congregations held $1,619,245,058 in savings and investments, endowments, and memorial funds -- down $58,769,483 from 2001. The average regular giving per confirmed member increased from $526.11 in 2001 to $534.24 -- up 1.54 percent or an increase per confirmed member of $8.13. The increase in 2001 over 2000 was 3.78 percent or $19.21. The growth in giving by members to congregations was significant, with congregations receiving a total of $20,667,453 more in receipts than they spent in disbursements in 2002. Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating expenses amounted to $1,624,737,309. That represented an increase of $47,971,320 or 3.04 percent over 2001. The increase in 2001 over 2000 for operating expenses was 5 percent or almost $78 million. Regular "mission support" -- that is, monies passed from congregations to the ELCA's 65 synods and to the churchwide organization to support the national and international ministries of this church -- decreased 1.7 percent. Actual mission-support funding for 2002 was $133,204,219 -- down $2,316,252 from $135,520,471 in 2001. "Designated Gifts" increased from $10,839,409 in 2001 to $11,866,616 in 2002 --up 9.47 percent. World Hunger Appeal and Disaster Response contributions decreased by almost $4 million. The total amount reported by congregations for World Hunger and Disaster Response in 2002 was $12,924,955. "Vision for Mission," an annual special appeal of this church, decreased 2.72 percent -- from a total of $330,561 reported by congregations in 2001 to $321,544 in 2002. Funding for missionary sponsorship increased slightly in 2002. The actual figure for missionary sponsorship was reported at $5,817,701 -- up $9,781. "Mission Partners" giving decreased 1 percent in 2002 to $4,697,768. Synod-related "Special Benevolences" decreased 11.69 percent -- from $18,072,206 in 2001 to $15,958,905 in 2002. Income for community benevolent causes was up $691,064 to a total of $32,903,292 in 2002. Congregations reported a small decrease in other expenses -- down $101,927 to $104,218,327. Sixty-three percent of ELCA congregations reported they had no debt in 2002. The number of bequests received by congregations increased 1,330 to 6,074 and amounted to $85,098,351 -- down 6.01 percent in 2002 from 2001. Of the total income of ELCA congregations, 90.51 percent was devoted to operating expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction and other expenses. Of the total, 7.43 percent was contributed for synod and churchwide mission support, hunger and disaster appeals, missionary sponsorship, Mission Partners, and designated causes. The remainder supported special synod and local benevolences. * The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is secretary of the ELCA. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news