Positive trend in Congregation Mission Offerings continues
Filed Under: Budget, CMO, Finance, SC, Synodical Council
For the fourth straight month, Congregation Mission Offerings—the offerings congregations submit for WELS’ collective ministry, known as CMO—exceeded offerings of the same month from the previous year.
CMO for the first 10 months of 2007 is up $900,000—or about six percent—over the same time period last year and is forecasted to be $500,000 greater than budget. Also, gifts from individuals are $700,000 greater than the prior year and $100,000 greater than budget.
Todd Poppe, WELS chief financial officer, urges caution in using the results to forecast support for the balance of the year and the future, but he acknowledges they are encouraging. “We need the continued financial growth to support the ministry plan approved by the convention and our prayer for ministry growth in the future.”
The revised budget forecast points to a surplus of $1 million which, in accordance with Synodical Council policy, would be used to re-establish a buffer fund. The buffer fund can be used to offset support shortfalls in the second year of the biennium or beyond.
Download the complete executive summary at www.wels.net/jump/finance.
