Checking in on CM at mid-year

As of June 30, contributions (CM shared and CM designated) by U.S. congregations in support of General Church ministries through Cooperative Ministries totaled $1,446,303.67, or 44 percent of the goal for church giving in 2006. This represents a 3.8 percent increase in congregational CM support over 2005, which is good news as we pursue our shared goals of encouraging leaders for ministry, starting and sustaining healthy congregations, and supporting a vibrant mission outreach.

Percentage of Growth in Total Attendance, Congregational Offerings, and Congregational CM Contributions: BIC Churches North America, 1995 to 2005

And based on overall giving trends across the whole of the BIC Church in North America, it seems we can look forward to continued strong funding for our cooperative efforts. Over the 10-year period of 1995 to 2005, congregational offerings ( Canada and U.S.) grew by 86 percent from $19,013,585 to $34,920,656.* If we can be of assistance as your congregation discusses its 2007 commitment to CM, please let us know. We are happy to make “house calls.” Also, watch for the September issue of Momentum, where we’ll roll out the first in a series of CM informational pieces for 2007.

The increase in contributions to the churches is equally impressive, going from $989 to $1,198 per attendee—and all the more so if we put the BIC numbers alongside those of other church givers. According to information provided in The State of Church Giving Through 2003 from a 28-denomination group, per member giving for local church purposes was $497.71 in 1995 and $724.73 in 2003 (the most recent year for which information is available).

*Based on year-end reports submitted by congregations to the Regional Conferences.

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