Dispatches from the assembly: 2013 budget approved

VANCOUVER, Wash. — In his last budget address after eight years of service, outgoing synod Treasurer Andreas Udbye announced the synod's budget now has slipped beneath the $1 million mark.

"This is sort of a steady drain here," he said.

Nonetheless, voting members approved a a $970,000 budget for next year, a $10,000 increase from the current budget.

Andreas blamed four years of decline on three factors — a slumping economy, demographics that show aging among church members, and the 2009 churchwide sexuality vote.

Benevolences from congregations to the synod and churchwide now are at 1989 levels.

Despite that, the synod has been able to maintain staffing, though furloughs are still in effect.
And the synod will raise its giving to churchwide from 39.5 percent to 40 percent next year.

In addition, the synod has been able to continue support for a prison ministry at Shelton, and back partnering ministries such as seminaries and Pacific Lutheran University.