Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 15
Home Page
The situation looked much bleaker on January 1, when projections indicated a possible deficit of $500,000 by year's end. In view of the crisis, the Board executive ordered cuts of $200,000, a move that resulted in spending 7.4% less than originally targeted. It proved vital for finishing in the black.
"We can rejoice," declared general director Harold Ens, "that for the second year in a row we will not use up any reserves." Last year MBM/S also posted a modest balance, after four years of negative cash flow which left reserves far below the recommended level.
Year-end figures reveal both encouraging and discouraging perspectives that will no doubt test the Board's planning skills for months--maybe years--to come. The worst news is that contributions to the budget sagged 6.1% compared to the previous year, a major decline. Giving from the USA, however, edged slightly upward for the year.
At the same time, total donations to non-budgeted special projects exceeded a million dollars, indicating that churches and individuals increasingly prefer to choose and control where their dollars go.
"In terms of total giving, Mennonite Brethren are still very generous and mission-minded," said Ens. "We have sometimes failed to notice that or give credit for that, because we're constantly straining to meet the budget."
As donors channel funds into non-budgeted special projects, the mission struggles to pay its missionaries. At the spring Board meeting in Winnipeg a proposal was discussed which would have required new missionaries to personally raise 50% of their total support package. After lively debate, the proposal did not pass.
Both Board and administration strongly desire to preserve the historical support system by which churches systematically support the MBM/S budget at $100 per member. However, with actual budget support at around $70 per member--and falling--the question grows more urgent: Is the handwriting of a new era, requiring a new strategy, on the wall?
Gary Hardaway, MBM/S Communications and Public Relations
Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 15
Home Page