United Church of God Financial Statements Are Now Out

The November 2007 issue of UCG’s United News arrived this weekend. This is the issue that contains its audited financial statements.

For its fiscal year ending 6/30/07 UCG grossed $23,368,688. It spent 5,071,989 (21.71%) for ‘public proclamation’; it spent 4,220,138 for managing its meetings and ‘home office’ (18.06%); and 12,553,205 (53.72%) for the field ministry/local churches/FOT/International support, and increased reserves by 1,520,853.

On the other hand, for its fiscal year ending 12/31/06 LCG grossed 10,352,593 and spent 4,429,377 on public proclamation, 711,651 on HQ administration, 5,210,756 to ‘feed the flock’ and increased reserves by 809.

If you gave $100.00 to the United Church of God or the Living Church of God, here is where your money went:

United Church of God                 Living Church of God
1st Commission to Proclaim the Gospel to the World        $21.71                 $42.79
2nd Commission to Feed the Flock (and Field Ministry)
53.72                    50.33
Headquarters/Home Office
18.06                      6.88
Change in Reserves
6.51                      0.00
Total
$100.00               $100.00

I went with LCG, and not UCG, because of Gospel and governance. It is interesting that UCG spent about 3 times as high a percentage on governance than LCG does (and over 5 times as much in actual cash, UCG spent $4,220,138 vs. LCG’s 711,651).

Which form of governance is more cost-effective? Which form places the higher priority on proclaiming the Gospel? With half the income, produces nearly twice the number of magazines (Tomorrow’s World vs. Good News) on a per member basis than UCG does.

LCG has also reached over 13,000,000 via television. According to published data that I have seen, the number who respond to LCG’s telecast EACH MONTH exceed the total who have ever responded to UCG’s telecast since inception.

While I no longer consider that UCG’s gospel efforts are “cold” as they once were, they still could not be categorized as “hot”. But UCG has made major improvements in this area–and will most likely do so in the current fiscal year (it increased its budget for this).

UCG, however, also continues its trend of saving a significant portion of its income each year. I believe that this will be used by UCG to pay salaries, etc. during more difficult economic times. And while those times will certainly be coming, and some reserves are wise, should this nearly always continue to be UCG’s practice?

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
6. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now LCG.
7. The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church.
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.