Title: Giving to ELCA Congregations Grew by Nearly $70 Million
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 10, 1997

GIVING TO ELCA CONGREGATIONS
GREW BY NEARLY $70 MILLION IN '96
97-23-067-LA*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Income for the 10,936 congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1996 totaled
$1,871,488,600 -- up $68,693,159 or 3.81 percent from 1995, reported the
Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary.
     Of total congregational receipts, $1,330,490,347 was received in
regular, unrestricted offerings -- up 2.68 percent.  While the dollar
amount increased for 1996, the percent increase was slightly lower than for
1995.  For 1995, the percent increase in regular giving by members over the
year before was 4.81 percent.
     "Increased financial commitment of members throughout this church is
crucial for each congregation and our whole church," Almen said.  "Annual
increases in giving by members of 3 to 5 percent every year allow
congregations, synods and churchwide ministries to accomplish the mission
to which the church has been called by Jesus Christ, which is to spread the
gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world, relieve people's hunger and
suffering, and serve with compassion."
     The average regular giving per confirmed member increased from
$387.71 in 1995 to $401.33 -- up 3.51 percent or an increase per confirmed
member of $13.62.
     Total disbursements by ELCA congregations for local operating
expenses grew $55,767,256.  That amounted to an increase of 4.71 percent to
a total of $1,237,800,418.
     Regular mission support -- monies passed from congregations to the
ELCA's 65 synods and to the churchwide organization to support the national
and international ministries of the church -- increased less than one-half
percent from $120,299,945 in 1995 to $120,835,610 in 1996.
     "This increase of $535,665 in 1996 for regular mission support was
disappointing when compared to the more than $2 million increase
experienced in 1995," Almen said.  "The vast and strategic domestic and
international mission endeavors of our church need strong support.  Through
continued commitment to the synodical and churchwide ministries,
congregations are helping to make Christ known around the world."
     Specific mission support -- formerly called designated gifts --
increased by 12.3 percent or by $534,884 to $4,883,332 in 1996.
     Synodically related special benevolences also increased 4.61 percent
from $14,048,830 in 1995 to $14,696,720 in 1996.
     Money for community benevolent causes increased 4.49 percent or
$991,549 to $23,065,268 in 1996 after showing a slight decline for 1995.
     Congregations reported an 8.44 percent increase in other expenses, up
$5,270,812 to $67,654,457.
     Nearly 63 percent of ELCA congregations reported that they had no
debt in 1996.
     Congregations reported $1,079,762,028 in savings and investments,
endowments and memorial funds in 1996 -- up $88,295,321 from the previous
year.

[*The Rev. Lowell G. Almen is secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.]

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
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