The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board held a special meeting by Zoom on the evening of Nov. 24 to approve the 2026 budget for the denominational ministries. The meeting was led by chair Kathy Mack assisted by chair-elect Josiah Ludwick and general secretary David Steele.
The board approved a grand total 2026 budget for all denominational ministries of $7,913,780 of income and $7,954,240 of expense, representing an anticipated net expense of $40,460.
For the denomination’s Core Ministries, the board approved a 2026 budget of $5,453,000 of income and $5,453,260 of expense, representing an anticipated net expense of $260.
The decision includes a reduction of $102,000 in anticipated net expenses in Core Ministries since the board approved a budget parameter of $5,555,000 of expense in October. Treasurer Ed Woolf explained that since October, staff have worked to make additional reductions to lower anticipated expenses for next year.
Other factors in creating the budget included congregational and individual giving estimates based on 10-year actual trends; a $150,000 designated funds transfer in support of the Core Ministries; draws from the Brethren Service Center quasi-endowment of 7 percent and from the bequest quasi-endowment of 20 percent and other internal transfers from savings and investment income; no medical insurance premium rate increase for employees; and a 1 percent cost of living increase for employees.
Woolf noted that in 2026, 56 percent of income will come from internal sources such as the quasi-endowments, savings, and investments, as a trend of decreasing giving from congregations is expected to continue.
For detailed information on the 2026 budget go to www.brethren.org/mmb/meeting-info
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