UCG Reports Income

Laodicea Has Many Scattered Structures that Are Relatively Ineffective

The electronic version of UCG’s latest United News reports the following:

United’s Financial Statements Show God’s Continued Blessings

by Jason Lovelady

Each year in the November issue
of United News, we include a copy
of the audited financial statements
of the United Church of God, an
International Association, and the
audit report of our independent
auditors—Clark, Schaefer, Hackett
and Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio.
This year’s report is for the fiscal
year that ended on June 30,
2009…

One item to note on the statements this
year is that the building that the Church
uses for Sabbath services in Big Sandy
was transferred from UCG–East Texas
to United Church of God, an International
Association in November 2008. The
property value was recorded as an asset
at $1,150,000, with an outstanding mortgage
of $350,000 as of November 2008.
The remaining $800,000 was recorded as
income (as a property contribution).
We are thankful for and appreciative
of the faithful and generous members and
others who support the work of the Church
by giving tithes and offerings. Most especially,
we are grateful for and give thanks
to God for blessing the Church with the
financial stability that we currently enjoy
even amidst the difficult financial times
facing this world today.

UCG’s income is essentially flat for the period. That is to say, that if it did not recognize the property transfer as “income” it would have reported income of $23,935,699 for the fiscal year ending 6/30/09 compared to income of 23,927,074 for the fiscal year ending 6/30/08. It has been a tough financial year for many.

For its fiscal year ending 6/30/09, UCG claims a gross income of $24,735,699. It spent 5,649,925 (22.8%) for ‘public proclamation’; it spent 4,223,249 for managing its meetings and ‘home office’ (17.1%); and 14,072,730 (56.9%) for the field ministry/local churches/FOT/International support, and increased reserves by 789,795. For its fiscal year ending 12/31/08, LCG grossed 13,516,604 and spent 6,204,853 on public proclamation, 900,217 on HQ administration, 5,833,128 to ‘feed the flock’ (including Living University) and increased reserves by 525,645.

Last year UCG spent $5,734,800 for ‘public proclamation’ and apparently decided to decrease that even though it indicated that it had planned to increase that portion of the budget.

If you gave $100.00 to the United Church of God in the years ending 6/30/08 and 6/30/09 here is what UCG did with it:

.......................................UCG............06/30/08....06/30/09

1st Commission to Proclaim the Gospel to the World....$23.97........$22.84
2nd Commission to Feed the Flock (and Field Ministry)..55.90.........56.89
Headquarters/Home Office...............................17.67.........17.08
Change in Reserves......................................2.46..........3.19
Total................................................$100.00.......$100.00

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....$22.84........$43.53
2nd Commission to Feed the Flock (and Field Ministry)..56.89.........45.92
Headquarters/Home Office...............................17.08..........6.66
Change in Reserves......................................3.19..........3.89
Total................................................$100.00.......$100.00

The above figures are based upon the latest audited financial statements of the respective churches.

Jesus taught:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

I went with LCG because of Gospel proclamation emphasis and biblical church governance. Even though LCG is much smaller and last much less income, it actually continues to spend more in actual cash on public proclamation than UCG does. It is also interesting that UCG spent almost 3 times as high a percentage on governance than LCG does (and over 4 times as much in actual cash, UCG spent $4,223,249 vs. LCG’s 900,217).

LCG also produces twice the number of magazines (Tomorrow’s World vs. Good News) on a per member basis than UCG does. The most recent attendance numbers from the two groups show that UCG reported that 20,419 attended its Feast of Tabernacles’ sites last month compared to the 7,612 who attended LCG’s sites.

Which group is holding fast (Revelation 3:11) to the priorities that Jesus set (Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20) for the Church?

Which group has a work that is neither hot nor cold (Revelation 3:15)?

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:22).

Some articles of related interest may include:

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. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
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.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
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?
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 basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.