LOUISVILLE – There would be no increase in the per capita rate for the Presbyterian Church in 2015 and 2016. That’s the recommendation going to the 2014 General Assembly – that the per capita rate stay at $7.02 per active member in 2015 and 2016, the same as it is now.
On Feb. 5, the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board and the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, meeting jointly in Louisville, approved a revised per capita expenditure budget for 2014 of $12.891 million; of $12.279 million for 2015 and of $12.262 for 2016.
Those budgets now will go to the 2014 General Assembly for its consideration – and with the realization that if the assembly approves additional spending, those figures may change.
The report states that about 90 percent of per capita has been collected for 2013, with about $1.3 million remaining uncollected, and that building per capita budgets for 2015 and 2016 “continues to be a challenge.” Among the factors having a negative impact on the bottom line: an economy slow to grow; continuing PC(USA) membership losses; and the ability of financially-stressed presbyteries to fully meet their per capita obligations.
To avoid having to further raise per capita – which “would create a real hardship in the church,” the report states – both the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency have cut both staff and spending.
“We would encourage a similar spirit of restraint by commissioners as you consider other proposals that might have financial implications at the 221st General Assembly,” the report states.
