The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board held a special Zoom meeting Dec. 5 to act on a proposal for the 2025 budget for denominational ministries.
Two items were acted on: The board approved the 2025 budget proposal brought by general secretary David Steele and treasurer Ed Woolf and recommended by the Executive Committee. The board supported a request from the board of Atlantic Southeast District for a day of prayer and fasting for immigrants.
Colin Scott presided as chair, assisted by chair-elect Kathy Mack and Steele.
2025 budget
The board approved a Core Ministries budget of $5,291,000 income and an expense of $5,311,720.
Compared to the 2024 budget, the Core Ministries budget for next year includes reductions across various departments with total reductions amounting to $395,280.
Other measures to offset expenses included a $125,000 transfer from designated funds and an additional $33,000 transfer from the Brethren Service Center quasi-endowment, which the chair announced is intended to help staff provide language interpretation and translation services.
The board’s action included approval of a grand total budget for all denominational ministries of $8,019,400 income and an expense of $8,163,470. The grand total budget includes Core Ministries and four self-funded units: Brethren Disaster Ministries, the Conference Office (Annual Conference), the Global Food Initiative (GFI), and Material Resources.
The grand total net expense of $144,070 for all ministries includes a net expense of $20,720 in Core Ministries, $84,400 in Material Resources, and $38,950 in the Conference Office. Brethren Disaster Ministries and GFI operate on break-even budgets. A net expense means that expense exceeds income.
Steele told the board that the 2025 budget is a framework and more is to be done in 2026.
Adoption of a 2025 budget in early December 2024 follows closed sessions during the board’s October meeting. It is customary for budget approval to take place in the fall, and the board does not usually hold business meetings in between its regularly scheduled spring, summer, and fall meetings. Approval of the 2025 budget was postponed after changes were made to the budget parameter set in July. The original parameter approved for Core Ministries was $5,133,000.
Factors contributing to the increase in the parameter include, among others:
— continued decrease in annual giving to Core Ministries from congregations, a situation that has been ongoing for many years;
— a cost-of-living increase in salaries, set at 2.5 percent;
— a higher than expected increase in the cost of health insurance premiums for employees, amounting to an additional $45,000.
Find a link to the 2025 budget at www.brethren.org/mmb/meeting-info.
Day of prayer and fasting for immigrants
The board affirmed support for the Atlantic Southeast District request for a Church of the Brethren day of prayer and fasting for immigrants, to take place in mid-January 2025.
“We do have people who are affected by issues regarding immigration, not just in their district but across the US,” said Michaela Alphonse, a board member from Atlantic Southeast District who helped present the request. She cited statements about mass deportation made by the incoming US administration, and the need for the church to express compassion for those people who feel under threat. The whole church must care for the safety of all who may be affected, she said, as she asked people to join in prayer together.
Alphonse will be the liaison between the district and denominational staff who will be named by the general secretary to help plan the day of prayer. Board members asked for prayer resources and scripture suggestions. More information will be shared in a Newsline Special.
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
———-
Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Registration closes Feb. 1 for FaithX older adult service trip to Camp Ithiel in Florida
- Intercultural Ministries Advisory Committee encourages churches to help members know their rights
- Brethren Disaster Ministries and two Church of the Brethren districts announce collections for those affected by California fires
- Brethren bits
- Children’s Disaster Services begins caring for children in shelters in Los Angeles area