2015 budget adopted by Convention

In September 2014, the Budget & Finance Committee met to begin developing the proposed budget for the year 2015. It held a Budget Forum in October, open to all from the diocese, at which the preliminary budget was presented. Following that, the Committee met to make adjustments to the preliminary budget with the goal of developing a balanced budget where expenses are equal to income.

The Proposed 2015 Budget was presented to Diocesan Council at its December 10, 2014 meeting and was accepted as submitted.

The Proposed 2015 Budget was then presented to the deputies of the 141st Annual Diocesan Convention on January 30, 2015, with opportunity for questions at a forum following.  It was accepted as submitted on January 31, 2015, and is attached above.

Highlights of the 2015 budget:

• Increases outreach spending 5.8% to $171,000, of which 70% will be provided by contributions to the Alleluia Fund for Outreach, with the balance coming from congregational pledges to the diocese and other sources.
• As part of the diocese's commitment to the "Going Local" initiative, the diocesan Coordinator for Missional Church Strategy has moved from a half-time to a full-time employee in 2015.
• Includes funding for a portion of the costs for a social justice advocate who will represent our diocese, the Diocese of NJ, and the NJ Lutheran Synod by advocating for social justice issues in Trenton.