LAKELAND — Florida Conference churches gave nearly $600,000 more toward apportionments during 2000 than in 1999, according to Dr. Randy Casey-Rutland, conference treasurer.

In 1999, churches gave more than $12.6 million to the overall fair share apportionment, which includes both conference and general church giving. That amount was 84.5 percent of what churches were asked to pay. In 2000, churches gave more than $13.2 million, or 86 percent of the total.

The amount given specifically to the Conference Services and Administration line item has "the most to do with our conference health," Casey-Rutland said.

Last year, churches gave almost $5.3 million to Conference Services and Administration, or more than 89 percent of what was asked. That amount represents an increase of more than $230,000 over 1999.

Due to a math error in the 2000 budget, the amount budgeted for Conference Services and Administration was $500,000 less than it should have been. Churches were asked to pay 108 percent of that line item to make up for the error. The 4 percent growth in that line item last year shows that churches were concerned about solving the conference’s financial difficulties.

"There was a significant and positive response to the appeals from the bishop and others," Casey-Rutland said. "That’s a significant help to our conference’s financial health."

In addition, churches gave more in 2000 than in 1999 to World Service and Conference Benevolence and New Church Starts line items. Despite increased dollar giving, though, both line items decreased slightly as a percent of what was asked.

Casey-Rutland said the increase in giving is half of the financial picture, however. "The bottom-line determining factor in our conference health is how expenses relate to our income last year," he said. "While apportionment giving is up…we won’t know the true picture until we finish the annual audit." The audit will be completed by spring.

Casey-Rutland said he hopes last year’s increase in giving will continue this year. "The conference budget is basically flat over last year, so the real issue is better participation in our apportioned system of funding by all churches," he said.

Another factor that could impact the 2001 budget was the decision at the special budget session of the Dare to Share Jesus 2000 Florida Annual Conference Event to remove the $450,000 anticipated apportionment shortfall line item from the budget.

That line item was included in the 2000 budget at $328,000, Casey-Rutland said. Churches gave 89 percent of that amount, or a total of $291,000.

"That line item gave some cushion to the conference budget that we don’t have this year," Casey-Rutland said. "To the extent that we have increased participation by churches, the removal of that line item will have no impact on us."