Giving to ELCA Congregations Grew by Nearly $70 Million

     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 NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html