For two years, ministry share (the per-confessing-member amount that congregations contribute toward denominational ministries) has remained the same.
However, without comment synod bumped up that amount by 3 percent for 2011.
Asked why an increase now, Rev. George Vink, chair of synod’s finance committee, explained: “Staying where we are will limit meeting anticipated needs, knowing it will not generate revenue until 2011. We expect an improvement in the economy and a desire not to cut ministries.”
The extra ministry share amount—which will begin generating funds in April 2011—will not go directly toward increasing the fiscal 2011 budgets of CRC agencies and ministries. It will be used to fund “strategic initiatives that further the ministries of the CRC during the 2011 fiscal year,” said John Bolt, the CRC’s finance director. “The use of the ministry-share increase in fiscal 2012 will be determined as the budgets for that year are developed this fall.”
Present ministry-share funding remains strong despite the economic downturn, indicating that churches have the ability and the heart to support the work of the denomination through ministry share.
About the Author
Bob De Moor is a retired Christian Reformed pastor living in Edmonton, Alta.
