Final Results for 2009-10 Fiscal Year

By John Lucht, Synod Treasurer

The 2009-10 fiscal year ended on January 31, and we now have the final results. As expected, based on recent shortfalls in giving, total expenses for the year exceeded income sources by about $145,000. We funded this deficit by using $20,000 specifically donated to pay for synod staff, plus $125,000 from the Southeastern Lutheran Holding Corporation. Some of you may recall that Holding Corporation funds were generated 12 years ago when the synod sold its office building on West Peachtree Street in Atlanta. We had to use about half of the Holding Corporation's liquid funds to pay for this year's deficit.

I've been asked how many congregations increased / decreased their giving in 2009 versus 2008. Of the 175 congregations and authorized worshipping communities in the Southeastern Synod, 59 increased their mission support contributions last year; 94 decreased; 16 gave the same amount; and 6 gave nothing in either 2008 or 2009. Those who increased their mission support contributions provided 32 percent of the total we received. Almost 60 percent ($1.47 million) of the total mission support contributed was provided by congregations who actually gave less in 2009 than in 2008.

As Bishop Gordy has previously communicated, the Synod Council has significantly reduced the spending plan for the new year to more closely match a lower level of projected giving. Staff salaries have been reduced, layoffs will undoubtedly occur this spring, support of the seminaries and social ministry organizations has been cut, and programmatic support for the ministries of committees and task forces will be minimal. These developments are painful, but necessary, given the current level of giving. Your officers and Synod Council are diligently and prayerfully implementing essential changes to most effectively use the resources entrusted to us for ministry within the Southeastern Synod. We appreciate your prayers and your support during this difficult time.

Over the years it has been pointed out to me that I spend far too much time reading the sports pages and watching sporting events.  It is probably true, but I'm still doing it.  And, I probably won't give it up.  Think of all the joy I will have sitting at the nursing home listening to and watching the Braves!

Well, it's time for the pitchers and catchers to make their way to Florida and Arizona to begin the nine month journey to the World Series.  This year for Christmas, our Florida son gave my wife and me tickets to accompany him to three Spring Training games in Lakeland, Tampa and Orlando.  Being the dutiful parents that we are, we have made plans to go and visit him and joyfully accept his gift.

One of the redeeming aspects of sports is that people of various convictions and mindsets can find unity in supporting their team.  In Atlanta and in the surrounding states, most of us can enjoy being fans of the Braves.  We've just experienced folks from all over the Southeast cheering for the New Orleans Saints in the Superbowl.  At the recent Catch the Spirit event in Atlanta, Bishop Gordy asked for a moment of prayer for the Saints...the New Orleans Saints.  There are exceptions, however.  Have you noticed that seven of the 12 SEC teams are in our Southeastern Synod?  I have noticed that we do give often fanatical evidence of our respective allegiances.  But our Synod probably leads all ELCA Synods in college football excellence and spirit.

If you think my sports interest to be too whimsical and superficial for a church publication, I would remind you that people mad about the churchwide actions and those ok and dealing with the churchwide actions can come together in cheering for the Braves.  Please don't vote to leave the Braves!  In a couple of weeks I will be taking a break from church meetings and going to Spring training.

Pastor Darrel Peterson, Assistant to the Bishop