ELCA NEWS SERVICE
August 18, 2004
Income For ELCA Congregations Grows To $2.6 Billion In 2003
04-152-LA*/JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,657 congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 2003 was nearly $2.6
billion, according to statistics compiled by the ELCA Office of the
Secretary.
Total receipts amounted to $2,554,509,414, up 2.45 percent or $61.2
million from the previous year, said the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA
secretary. The information was submitted by congregations. The 2003
increase exceeded the 1.7 percent growth experienced in 2002, he said. In
the two-year period of 2002-2003, congregation receipts grew more than
$100 million, Almen said.
Of the total congregational income, $1.7 billion was received in
regular, unrestricted offerings, up $62 million or nearly 4 percent in
2003, versus a 1 percent increase in 2002 that amounted to $17 million
that year.
For 2001 the percent of increase in regular giving by members grew
3.5 percent over 2000's figure. A 6 percent jump occurred in 2000 from
the 1999 level of regular offerings.
Funds held in endowments and investments by congregations almost
matched regular giving in 2003. Congregations held nearly $1.7 billion in
savings and investments, endowments and memorial funds, up $55,085,966
(6.43 percent) from the previous year.
The average regular giving per confirmed member in 2003 was $550, up
nearly 3 percent. The increase in 2002 over 2001 was 1.5 percent, and
2001 over 2000 was up almost 4 percent.
Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating
expenses amounted to nearly $1.7 billion. That represented an increase of
$51 million or 3 percent over 2002.
Regular "mission support" -- monies passed from congregations to the
65 synods and to the churchwide organization to support the national and
international ministries of this church -- decreased 1.25 percent
following a decline of 1.7 percent the previous year. Actual mission
support funding for 2003 was $131,538,299, down $1.7 million from 2002.
Regular mission support in 2002 amounted to $133,204,219, down $2.3
million from $135,520,471 in 2001.
Synodically related "special benevolences" grew by 6 percent or
nearly $1 million to $16,918,758. Income for community benevolent causes
was up almost 2 percent ($642,622) to $33,545,914 in 2003.
Of total income ELCA congregations devoted 91 percent to operating
expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction and other expenses. Seven
percent was contributed for synodical and churchwide mission support,
hunger and disaster appeals, missionary sponsorship, Mission Partners and
designated causes. The remainder supported special synodical and local
benevolences.
Sixty-four percent of ELCA congregations reported that they had no
debt in 2003. Estimated value of assets owned by congregations exceeded
$16 billion.
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* The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is ELCA secretary.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
