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[Gregory Matthews]

December 3, 2025 The current issue(December 2025) of the Adventist Journey, contained ain interesting article by Paul Douglas, titled "Mission Emphasis Informs Treasurer's Report at Annual Council, beginning on page 6.

*  It reported that on a worldwide basis 35.7% of the tithe was used for pastoral support, and 29.2% was used for operational expenses.

* on a basis of a worldwide median calculation, 30.7% was used for operational support and 36.4% for pastoral support.

My understanding of the above leads me to conclude that we need to restructure our use of tithe, reduce our operational expenses and increase our support of pastoral ministry.  I would want to work to reduce our operational expenses to no more than 50% of that provided to pastoral support .  In other words, 2/3 of tithe to pastoral ministry and 1/3 to operational, at the most.  It would be a good start.

I do not  believe that we need to have every aspect of our organizational structure on every level of the organized Church.  AAs an example, I can agree that we need to have ACM and Religious Liberty represented on the Division level.   But, I do not think it is needed on the GC level.  Yes, I know that people can always fine "busy work" to do.  Further, think that we may need to re-think exactly what is needed at the levels that we establish  organizational support.  IOWs, we may, at some levels, be spinning our wheels in not providing exactly the support that is needed.  But, that is for another time and discussion.

[Joe Knapp]

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I do not believe that we need to have every aspect of our organizational structure on every level of the organized Church. 

I agree, however, we are not in charge.  What I have observed is, each level develops its own power/employee structure.  Often to use the money that is available. I have seen unions create their own publishing house and other duplicate services.  Why?  Because they had the money available in a budget.  Many of our leaders are not experts in financial matters.  

I have seen much better financial management in our organizations that have not enough money.  They find ways to be more efficient and thrifty. 

But that may be true of any nonprofit. It could be human nature.