Update From Finance & Planning

Off and running in 2004

By Ronald Kelly

PASADENA—It seems like just yesterday that we were concerned about the so-called Y2K scare that loomed over the start of a new millennium. But that scare came and went without any significant impact and here we are starting 2004. As they say, “Time flies.”

Member donations and regular income for the first month of the new year are holding steady when compared to the same month in 2003. This year, total January donations came in at $1.38 million, while last year contributions were right at $1.30 million. So we seem to be off to a fairly good start, although sometimes the early days of a year can be misleading, so we are also cautious.

As we have been reporting the past few months, we have established a goal this year of maintaining a balanced budget—meaning our church-related expenses should not exceed our church-related donations and income. I’m happy to report that we have achieved that goal for January by keeping our expenses under that $1.38 million income level. It probably won’t be that easy doing the balancing act every month, but it is a challenge we must successfully meet.

Last month I reported in fairly great detail the annualized expenses for 2003. It’s too early in the year to have an accurate analysis of our income vs. expenses for 2004, but we will keep you posted as we go through the next couple of months. For that reason, our Finance & Planning report this month is a bit shorter than usual.

As always, we appreciate your generous donations during these rather tense years of transition. But one thing is at least clear, we are nearer now to the implementation of our new financial model than ever. And we pray that day will be soon.

In the meantime, I cannot over- express my gratification at your patience and ongoing support. Your consistent donation pattern is essential to the financial health of our church and to our long-desired future reorganization as we focus our attention even more on what can and will be accomplished in our local congregations.

Wills and Trusts

Many members have requested information on how best to make a gift to the Worldwide Church of God, either during their lifetime or upon death through wills, trusts or other means.

If you want to receive information regarding such gifts, the Legal Department of the church is available to aid you in this regard without cost or obligation. Please write to Legal Office, Worldwide Church of God, Box 5005, Glendora, CA 91740.

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