Greetings in the peace of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the spirit of generosity expressed in many stories of loving service, ministry, and financial giving throughout the church. You will find one of these stories in the June 2024 Financial Update. 

This summary includes important information about endowments, mission tithes, Bridge of Hope, and World Church Finance Board action. 

Highlights

• At the May 2024 World Church Finance Board meeting, the board designated $175 million USD from the historic-asset sale to the Temple Endowment ($165 million USD) and the Worldwide Mission Endowment ($10 million USD). The Temple Endowment funds Temple ministries, mission-support services, and operations of the Temple complex. The Worldwide Mission Endowment funds ministries and formational resources that support the mission of the church globally. 

• As World Church Finance Board designated contributions, these funds will be subject to the provisions of each endowment and restricted from transfer unless the withdrawal is approved by a majority vote of the World Church Finance Board. 

• Worldwide Mission Tithes and contributions to the Worldwide Mission Endowment primarily will fund ministries and formational resources that support mission globally through the Worldwide Mission Budget. As the Worldwide Mission Endowment grows, additional income generated from its spending rate will be available to fund mission. Growing the Worldwide Mission Endowment is a priority of the Presiding Bishopric. 

• Worldwide Mission Tithes in 2023 totaled just over $10.8 million USD, compared to our budget goal of $11.34 million USD. Prudent budget management and higher-than-expected other income enabled us to finish the year with a net surplus of just over $1.15 million USD. 

• As shared in February of this year, the church met and exceeded the Bridge of Hope Retirement Responsibility goal of $120 million USD without the need for any Affiliate Investment Pool loans. The Presiding Bishopric is working to finalize the retirement-funding requirements by country and expects to complete the project by early 2025. 

• As of April 2024, Worldwide Mission Tithes totaled just over $3.3 million USD, approximately 6 percent above goal through April. See the Giving to Mission chart for progress to date and our goal for the year. 

• Church leaders are deeply grateful for the consistent and generous giving of so many to Worldwide Mission Tithes. Exploring creative ways to engage new generations of disciples in our mission through whole-life stewardship response will continue to be a priority through partnerships with disciples and leaders across the church. See the full June 2024 Financial Update for additional information. 

• The May World Church Finance Board approved income-and-expense assumptions for the preparation of the 2025 Worldwide Mission Budget. This included budgeted Worldwide Mission Tithes of $9.8 million USD. The Finance Board will approve the completed budget in December 2024. 

Looking to the future, opportunities and challenges exist as we live fully into our identity and calling as communities of Christ’s love and peace in a changing world. To this end, the Presiding Bishopric will work with leaders across the church to: 

•  Engage new generations of disciples and seekers in our transforming mission, including whole-life stewardship response. 

• Explore and implement new sources of income to build the Worldwide Mission Endowment and sustain focused support of our global mission. 

• Explore and implement new partnership models to share gifts of ministry, story, leadership, and finances across fields, mission centers, and congregations. 

• Increase effective use of all our facilities, including our headquarters, for mission. 

• Experiment with new ways to convey and live our principles of generosity and commitment to economic justice that offer hope for a sustainable future for all. 

Community of Christ’s vision and mission are compelling as we envision a world where we join hands with our neighbors to live, love, and share as Zion, and where there is enough for all at God’s table of abundance.