After peaking at an all-time high of $355 thousand in 2000, contributions to the Reformed Presbyterian Mission and Ministry fund (RPM&M) declined each of the next three years to a 25-year low of $248 thousand in 2003 (see chart 1).

Donations increased to $268 thousand in 2004, and 31 congregations contributed more in 2004 than they had in 2003! Sixteen congregations gave essentially the same amounts as the previous year, and only 10 were not able to contribute as much. A total of 57 congregations participated in supporting the denomination through this channel of giving, and 18 did not contribute.

Much has been said in various ways over the years to encourage contributions to RPM&M. While this fund represents a small portion of the total budgets of the boards and agencies of the RPCNA, it is vitally important to each of them. The goal for RPM&M in 2003 was $320,000, so the shortfall of $72,174 resulted in each of the boards and agencies receiving 22.5% less than they had budgeted for that year. The goal was $300,000 for 2004, so the increase in overall giving when combined with the lower goal resulted in “only” a 10.6% reduction in anticipated revenue to the participants.

The RPM&M goal for 2005 contributions is an austere $270,000, and Synod’s Trustees and the Finance Committee would be delighted to see this exceeded to help restore some of the funds not available in previous years. Chart 2 shows how each dollar of donations will be distributed in 2005.

An additional important source of funding that Synod designates each year is called “unrestricted undesignated funds.” In recent years, the largest portion of this fund has been income from the McLaughlin Trust, approximately $140,000 per year. Estates given to the RP Church without designating a particular board or agency as a recipient also fall in this category, and they are used as Synod directs with the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Chart 3 shows how each board and agency of the denomination benefits when both the $270,000 contributed RPM&M fund and the $140,000 from previously undesignated funds are combined.

Synod’s Finance Committee has been examining the current denominational funding “mechanisms” such as RPM&M, congregational assessments for pension, and Synod operations, and has been noting the significant trends of congregations and individuals giving directly to specific boards and agencies rather than supporting the “united fund” concept that RPM&M represents. No easy answers have surfaced as the Finance Committee seeks to assure that at least the basic needs of the missions and ministries of the RPCNA are being met.

One thing that we constantly note is that our people and our congregations are generous and joyful givers! The Lord continues to enable us to support a broad spectrum of kingdom work. Please pray especially that the Finance Committee would be given wisdom as they seek to formulate a sound, scriptural, denominational financial structure with appropriate ministry goals and priorities. For now, fully funding RPM&M is vitally important, since this structure remains in place for 2005 and 2006.

A series of bulletin inserts will be provided through the year to give a clearer picture of RPM&M and the work of the denomination that it helps to support. It would be wonderful to note in 2006 that 40 congregations increased their giving in 2005, and that all gave something!