Posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 12:28 am:

---

quote:

Mission giving, however, has not kept pace with tithe. “If the percentage in mission offerings had kept pace with tithe since 1950, it would now be more than $525 million per year, compared to the $56 million [total world mission offering] we had in 2006,” (General Conference treasurer Robert E.) Lemon explained. “We would not be facing challenges in providing non-tithe funds for the needs of the church and would be able to expand the work in a marked way within the 10/40 window territories.”

---

---

quote:

In 1968 giving was at 10.8 percent of after-tax income. By 1996 it had declined to 4.5 percent. This decline represents a 58% decrease in the portion of income being giving by church members. The data also shows that, while membership increased from 0.2 % of the U.S. population in 1968 to 0.3% in 1996, an increase of 55%, the rate of growth is not enough to counteract the overall decline in giving.

Attempts to increase giving have only exacerbated the problem and created a backlash. Member reactions to the current funding system create questions without answers. There is a growing challenge to find the resources necessary to meet the mission opportunities in the metropolitan areas of North America. Leaders in conferences and local congregations feel they are in a serious bind. Some conference committees and congregations question the amount of tithe required to fund the world church. They argue that the multi-level, hierarchical structure is more costly than necessary. Many are convinced that world missions are being funded to the neglect of missions in the local community and major metropolitan areas. They see more to do than there are funds to do it with. Some are angry about the amount of money that goes away from the local church and community.

There is a growing segment of members who are tired of paying the cost of our administrative machinery. Congregationalism seems an attractive option to some. Others are giving directly to what they see as productive ministries and projects rather than what they see as a "black hole," the church's massive machinery.

Church members are voting with their feet and with their dollars in an effort to alert denominational officials that holding to policies of the past and doing nothing about change is not a viable option. Giving through the established channels of the church is no longer producing the funds necessary to maintain established programs. The volume of dollars has increased, but with adjustments for inflation, per capita giving shows a marked loss.

---

---

quote:

Our problem is a system unable to cope with present and emerging generations, both within and without. For the church to think it can hold onto the philosophy and structure of 1901, or even 1950 or 1990, and stay on the cutting edge at the frontier of mission, is to act like the proverbial ostrich. It can't happen!

---

---

quote:

Organizations tend to change when forced to, not of their own initiative. Knight observes that the Adventist Church has historically made changes only when it is on the verge of financial disaster and organizational dysfuntionality.

---