By Ronald
Kelly
By Ronald
Kelly
Income for September remained on an even course just as we have experienced the previous few months. Regular member donations totaled about $1.5 million, almost exactly what we received in September 1999.
Total mail income for the year is $15.2 million. If all goes well, we should receive our projected $20 million from what we call regular mail income. As of the end of September we have received $2.3 million in festival and special offerings. Overall we hope that by the end of the year our special offerings will top $4 million.
That would mean member income could top $24 million. We normally receive an additional $1 million from estate donations, as members include the WCG in their wills. All this should add up to $25 million in income for 2000.
However, as I have pointed out, we will have expenses of $31 million. Simple math shows we will go in the hole $6 million. The sale of the Big Sandy campus helped offset that deficit and put back a little bit into our depleting reserves. And that's why we have been able to maintain our budget including all 150 of our salaried pastors. It has been a blessing to not have many personnel reductions this year.
This leads into a discussion of income and expenses for 2001. God willing, we will close escrow on the Pasadena property early in the first quarter of next year. This sale will make it possible to fund a long-needed employee retirement fund as well as relocate our offices to a much smaller and more efficient facility.
Thus two areas of financial concern to the church will be discharged--the discretionary assistance program for our 220 retired employees and the maintenance of the headquarters facility. The church will no longer have to fund such programs from donation income or reserves.
The 2001 allocation to local congregations should begin some time after the Pasadena sale. Many pastors expect local church donations to increase once members realize the potential to do local outreach or perhaps begin planning for a church building.
However, the operation expenses for our 442 congregations, our contribution to international missions and the expenses of even a much smaller denominational headquarters will require substantial funding, although funds for certain local evangelism will be available if regular income and donations meet current levels.
In other words, we seem to have reached an adequate base of income and expenses. But if income declines in the future, this will result in fewer funds being available for local programs. I think I've said it before, but it bears repeating, the more we give, the more we get. A local church can evaluate its giving pattern and then understand what it takes to have greater funds for evangelism. I hope you, your pastor and your leadership teams are discussing future financial projections.
The potential of the WCG is enormous. We have a worldwide denominational structure--something even large denominations don't have in the way we do. We have a core of talented employees at headquarters.
We have a group of caring pastors who serve the congregations. We have thousands of dedicated members who have embraced the awesome grace of Jesus Christ. We have a rich history that has helped prepare us for an exciting future. We have teens and youths who are eager to be part of the work of the church.
We trust you will all look forward to greater opportunities to spread the good news of the grace and love of Jesus Christ to this whole world. We are but a tiny part of the body of Christ, but what an opportunity we have ahead of us. Even the smaller parts can have a powerful impact.
For the Month For the Year to Date
Income
Donation Income $ 1,575,749 $ 17,531,341
Other income 613,709 4,896,289
Total income 2,189,458 22,427,630
Expenses 2,779,914 25,466,823
Net loss to bank reserves $ (590,456) $ (3,039,193)
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000