Cooperative Ministries feels impact of sluggish economy
As 2007 came to a close, it was obvious that softening within the economy had taken a toll on church incomes – and by extension, on funding available to the General Church in support of our shared ministries. For a second year, actual contributions to Cooperative Ministries by churches came in below the amount that the churches had committed at the beginning of the year. Extra-mile commitments from several churches and gifts from individuals (specifically in support of BIC World Missions) provided some budget relief. Even so, it was necessary to draw $110,000 from the General Church’s Vision Fund, a step that has severely depleted our operating reserves. Projections for 2008 With commitments from close to 60% of U.S. congregations in hand, the CM total is behind last year by $73,000, and it seems unlikely that a late-breaking surge will erase the "gap" between spending plan projections and goal commitments. Among the 116 congregations that have reported:
Many of our congregations, especially among the 70 percent of congregations with attendances of less than 100, are experiencing financial stress. Among those churches that are doing well financially, a growing number are retaining more of their funds for local ministry. In light of what we are hearing from congregations, Leadership Council has already trimmed about $300,000 from the Ministry Spending Plan. We have not had to eliminate personnel or programs, although some ministry priorities, specifically regional conferences for church planting and also for programs that encourage church health, have sustained cuts that are deeper than what we feel are sustainable for more than one year. Please pray with us that finances will improve across the whole of the church and that God will be glorified through the generosity of His people. |
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