November was the best month for income, from a percentage point of view, that the Church has had for a long time. While regular contributions, which is our largest category of income, were up 14% over November of last year, total income had increased 26.3% compared to 1983! This encouraging increase is primarily a result of excess personal festival tithes turned in after or at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles. Most contributors of such funds probably do not realize how they could affect a month's income so much.
A month ago, at the end of October, the year-to-date income was 15% more than 1983. Adding November, the increase for 1984 is 15.9%. It is hoped that this slight upward trend will continue, or even increase by the end of the year.
The budget team met with Mr. Armstrong about the 1985 budget, and is now in the process of preparing the budget based on his guidelines. The budget process always seems to be difficult for everyone concerned. All departments have needs that they try to fit within the allotted sum. How to fit within this amount usually requires a lot of juggling of numbers until everything fits best, and within the assigned limitations.
The budget team is wrestling with this problem now: the departments will be doing this during the next few days. We hope that the process will be accelerated this year over previous years by new departmental access to the budget area in the mainframe computer.
From comments made to me, I know that many of you are praying daily for improved financial conditions and also for those of us who work with the financial affairs of the Church. For this we want to express our appreciation and thanks. The prayers of God's servants bring real results when they are heartfelt and earnest. I hope that you will continue in your concern and in such requests to God.
REPORT FROM THE TREASURER'S OFFICE
Worldwide Church of God