The Presbyterian Coalition - Open Meeting Response

Basic Mission Support, sometimes referred to as unified giving, is undesignated mission giving. These funds are used at the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly levels to support those governing bodies’ mission budgets. While most presbyteries suggest a ratio according to which basic mission support is to be divided between the governing bodies, a session may specify where its basic mission support is to go.

Directed Mission Support is gifts given to particular budgeted PCUSA programs chosen by the donor. A copy of the latest Directed Mission Support Book is available from Presbyterian Distribution Service (800-524-2612). Note that projects in the directed Mission Support Book are already budgeted. Focusing your commitment on a specific project allows you the opportunity to choose how your dollars are utilized but does not increase the amount dedicated to each project. This type of giving is subject to equalization, much like gifts that are designated to particular causes within a United Way budget.

Extra Commitment Opportunity gifts support more than 1000 mission projects in the United States and around the world. ECO projects are outside the regular mission budget, and they are supported through designated gifts from individuals and monies over and above sessions’ basic and directed mission support. The Extra Commitment Opportunities catalog is also available through PDS. A 5% fee is deducted from the gift to help cover administrative costs, with one main exception. Funds given to accounts related to the three Validated Mission Support Groups (see below) have 1% deducted.

A few of the other ways in which Presbyterians support PCUSA mission include denominational special offerings and gifts designated to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Hunger Program, and the Theological Education Fund (1% Plan).

In addition new mission personnel can be supported through the Mission Initiative-Joining Hearts and Hands. This is currently the only way support can be given for sending new missionaries. No fees are deducted from these gifts, and they are not part of Basic Mission Support. For more information see http://www.pcusa.org/joiningheartsandhands/what.htm.

Three Validated Mission Support Groups Aid Churches in Designated Giving to Mission

Three Validated Mission Support Groups are in covenant relationships with the PCUSA. With different emphases, these organizations raise designated funds to expand Presbyterians involvement in and support of mission around the world. Contact these groups directly for information about how they can help you confidently share in mission efforts in and through PCUSA.

Medical Benevolence Foundation (#E862700) interprets the international health work of PC(USA) seeking support from congregations and individuals. Through a Covenant Agreement with General Assembly Council, MBF seeks over and above funding for PC(USA) international health projects. (800-547-7627; www.MBFoundation.org)

The Outreach Foundation (#E863005) raises funds for evangelism and church development projects that are developed in consultation with Worldwide Ministries. Projects are in the US and other countries. Funds received through this ECO will be sent to The Outreach Foundation to go toward projects whose funding they have agreed to help secure. (800-791-5023; www.theoutreachfoundation.org)

Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship works with the Office of International Evangelism to carry out the PCUSA Frontier Mission Program (#E863001 and related accounts). Money for ECO E863001 is undesignated within the frontier mission category and goes to support under-funded projects as well as new opportunities that develop after the funding cycle has begun. Other accounts are used for designating to specific projects. (800-720-4PFF; www.pff.net)

Examples of Extra Commitment Opportunities for Mission Giving

Here are several Extra Commitment Opportunity projects that might be of interest to congregations wishing to designate a portion of their mission giving through PCUSA:

Arssi Oromos (E040086) - Our partner church in Ethiopia is reaching out to 10 million Arssi Oromo people who are folk Muslims. They are sending teams of teacher/evangelists to villages that want schools, to help with education and to plant churches. Funds will help build schools, to be run by the church, in various villages.

Bible Translation for Unreached People Groups (E863014) - Join an effort to provide translations of the Bible for people who do not have a viable church presence in their culture. Your gifts can bring God's word to people who have never had it in their own language at an annual cost of $4,000 - $6,000.

Egypt (E040077) - Many exciting opportunities for evangelism and church planting are developing in Egypt. Funds are needed to help support these efforts, many of which can’t be publicized.

Siberian Unreached People Initiative in Russia (E040068) - It is estimated that there are 156 separate ethnic groups in Russia and that 120 of them are without a viable church. Russian Baptists are committed to planting churches among these unreached peoples. In fact, Baptists in Siberia are already involved in an outreach among those who closest to present established congregations. There is an opportunity for the PC(USA) to work in partnership with the Baptist Church to reach out to the Unreached Peoples of Siberia.

Updated February, 2006