ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 25, 2007
Income for ELCA Congregations Almost $2.75 Billion in 2006
07-134-FI/LA*
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,470 congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 2006 exceeded
$2.7 billion, according to statistics compiled by the ELCA Office
of the Secretary. Total receipts amounted to $2,748,068,336 --
up 2.65 percent or $71 million from the previous year.
The 2006 increase was slightly less than the 2.94 percent
growth in 2005, but more than the 1.79 percent growth experienced
in 2004 and the 2.45 percent growth in 2003. Congregational
receipts grew nearly $242 million in the past five years, he
reported.
Of the total congregational income, $1,909,390,439 was
received in regular, unrestricted offerings -- up $62,812,035 or
3.40 percent in 2006 -- compared to a more than 2.50 percent
increase in 2005, a 3 percent increase in 2004, and a nearly 4
percent increase in 2003.
Funds held by congregations in endowments and investments
exceeded regular giving in 2006. Congregations held
$2,161,107,827 in savings and investments, endowments and
memorial funds -- up $289,595,801 or 15.47 percent over 2005,
Almen said.
The average regular giving per confirmed member in 2006 grew
to more than $626, an increase of nearly 4.62 percent. The
increase in 2005 over 2004 was 4.81 percent, and 2004 over 2003
was nearly 3.85 percent.
Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local
operating expenses amounted to $1,835,443,858. That represented
an increase of $39,801,679 or 2.21 percent over 2005, Almen said.
Regular "mission support" -- monies passed from
congregations to the church's 65 synods and to the churchwide
organization to support the national and international ministries
of the ELCA -- increased 0.95 percent following a five-year
decline. Mission-support funding for 2006 was $131,568,011 -- an
increase of $1,244,809 from the previous year. Regular mission
support in 2004 was $130,490,038 -- down $1,048,261 from 2003.
Synod-related "Special Benevolences" increased 8.61 percent
or $1,486,341 to $18,730,876. Income for community benevolent
causes increased by nearly 8 percent or $2,938,558 to $41,056,320
in 2006, Almen reported.
Of total income, ELCA congregations devoted 90.64 percent to
operating expenses, capital improvements, debt reduction and
other expenses. Another 6.94 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.
Of all ELCA congregations, 62.30 percent reported that they
had no debt in 2006. Estimated value of assets owned by
congregations exceeded $19 billion.
-- -- --
Information about the Office of the Secretary is at
http://www.ELCA.org/secretary/ on the ELCA Web site.
* 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
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