At the end of the first third of the year, the income is still lower than projected. Thankfully, this continues to be offset by an almost equal amount that the departments are under budgeted expenses. Although income has not met our expectations, we have a year-to-date increase of 9% over last year. A little background might be helpful to show what has happened.
You may recall that last year there was quite a lot of emphasis on being prepared for the Holy Day offerings, resulting in a very fine increase in the spring offerings of almost 30% over 1983. This year, we were comparing our numbers with those larger-than-average increases. And because there has not been the same emphasis on being prepared in 1985, the total offerings were actually less than last year by about 4%. This has lowered our overall average for the year to the 9% figure.
In view of the lower than expected offerings during the Days of Unleavened Bread, I hope we all will be better prepared for the Pentecost offering. Increased income will make possible the hiring of more badly-needed ministers to visit new prospective members and to care for the local churches, as well as increase our ability to spread the good news of God's soon-coming Kingdom.
REPORT FROM THE TREASURER'S OFFICE
Worldwide Church of God