During the Spring Meeting of the General Conference (GC) Executive Committee, Paul H. Douglas, GC treasurer, presented a comprehensive financial report highlighting the organization's fiscal stability despite earlier concerns.
"What we projected was not realized. God had a different plan and we praise the Lord for that," Douglas stated.
Douglas reported operating fund surpluses in recent years, attributing these positive results to several factors: controlled costs in technology and data centers, contained travel budgets below pre-COVID levels, renegotiated contracts, and personnel reductions that were not replaced following COVID-19 adjustments. Additionally, World Mission offerings exceeded expectations, though Douglas emphasized a cautious approach to resource planning as tithe contributions begin to flatten.
The presentation included a comparative analysis of available working capital across world divisions, with figures ranging from 9 months (North American Division) to 180 months (Southern Asia-Pacific Division), compared to the policy expectation of 6 months. Douglas also noted that 10 of the 13 world divisions have achieved financial self-support.
Answering questions from members of the Executive Committee, Douglas explained why the GC needs to be financially strong: to support the Church's global priorities, to provide resources during emergencies, and to show stability during uncertain economic times.
"The financial strength of the General Conference is from the World Church, and it is for the World Church," Douglas emphasized.
Following financial projections through 2031 under various scenarios, the Executive Committee considered two key recommendations: increasing the minimum available liquid assets for the General Conference from nine months to twelve months, and affirming the current tithe sharing policy that requires all world divisions to forward 3% of gross tithe from their territories to the General Conference by 2030. The recommendations passed with 141 voting in favor and 37 opposed.
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