By Ronald
Kelly
By Ronald
Kelly
As we pass through the halfway mark of the year, our financial circumstances are progressing at a slower pace than we hoped.
The summer months of 1999 were pretty good, but this year, June donations are down by 20 percent compared to last year. If this is a trend, we have much to be concerned about.
We have also completed tabulation of the Pentecost offering, which is down 23 percent from the same season a year ago. Special offerings from January through June, which include the spring festival as well as the Pentecost season, are down 20 percent from last year.
This is disappointing because the past few months have been more stable and predictable regarding income. We always hope we will find our leveling-off spot and be able to count on a specific income level.
I don't want to paint an overly dark picture, but I do attempt to share the reality of church finances. As we planned the budget for 2000, we projected income would not be maintained at the 1999 level of $95,000 per banking day. Our income projections from member donations are for $82,668 per banking day. But even with those lower projections, January through June income was five percent under budget projections.
Please note the chart on this page for specific monthly and year-to-date financial information.
On the positive side of the income picture, we have been blessed with the sale of our Texas campus, greater than expected funds from estate donations and revenues from other sources that help keep our reserve fund at an appropriate level. This has made it possible to continue with our budget plan for this year.
In August, we will have meetings with our district superintendents in Dallas, Texas. One of the topics will be the financial structuring of our denomination after the sale of the Pasadena property.
A task force is working to prepare for those meetings. Those working on this project are excited about the possibilities for the future financial opportunities congregations might have.
After the August discussions, the district superintendents will meet with pastors and leadership teams of the congregations to receive input. Our hope is that by the end of this year, we will have a preliminary plan in place that will be phased in during 2001 and be in place by 2002.
Local congregational funding will be most effective as congregational giving increases. The new financial structure will provide members with the information necessary to understand the funding necessary for each church.
For example, for a local church to be effectively organized as a part of a denomination, there are expenses to hire a pastor, rent a hall (or own a building), process and receipt donations, pay for insurance, have legal services, contribute to missions, and a host of budget items.
Once certain fixed costs are understood, congregations will know that additional funding for local projects will result from increased growth or increased giving from members.
From feedback I receive, most of our ministers and congregations strongly favor retaining at least some of our centralized financial structure. At the same time, each congregation would like to have sufficient funding for local projects. The task force I mentioned will propose a plan that will help a congregation meet local expenses, contribute to denominational funding and have funds for local evangelistic outreach.
Please pray for God's guidance and his wisdom to be imparted as we proceed through the planning processes and look forward to the exciting opportunities each of our congregations will develop in the near future.
Statement of Income and Expenses for WCG and PTM combined for June 2000
For the Month For the Year to Date
Income
Donation Income $ 2,211,285 $ 12,139,523
Other income 1,247,665 3,010,571
Total income 3,458,950 15,150,094
Expenses 3,149,598 17,836,497
Net gain (or loss) to bank reserves $ 309,352 $ (2,686,403)
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000