The main mission and ministry fund of the Presbyterian Church received a total of $7.87 million from congregations and individual donors in 2014, exceeding its budgeted goal of $7.75 million but marking the eighth consecutive year of decline in contributions from congregations.
Congregations donated $7.3 million to Presbyterians Sharing in 2014 and provide the lion’s share of the funding through voluntary allocations. Funding from congregations has fallen about 16 per cent since 2006.
Karen Platter, associate secretary for Stewardship, said many congregations have cited their mandatory contributions to the pension fund, increases in overall costs and declines in attendance as reasons they cannot meet their allocations. “The decline in number of congregations also affects the overall total given to Presbyterians Sharing,” she said.
This year congregations were encouraged to contribute 10 per cent of their dollar bases.
Of the 893 congregations that contributed to the fund in 2014, 74 per cent contributed less than the 10 per cent suggested, while 26 per cent met or exceeded it. Compared to the amounts they contributed in 2013, about 67 per cent of congregations maintained or increased their contributions while about 33 per cent reduced their givings.
Individuals helped to buoy up the fund, with over $570,000 donated in 2014, including $435,000 from the estate of Marion and Bruce Berry of Thornhill, Ont.
Presbyterians also pitched in to support the work of Presbyterian World Service & Development, the church’s aid agency, with $2.93 million in donations. Canadian Ministries and International Ministries, two offices that are supported primarily by Presbyterians Sharing, also received a combined $100,000 in donations for special projects.
