Overture would eliminate PCUSA funding for NCC
updated, January 26, 2001
The National Council of Churches “has become divisive when it should be irenic, wasteful when it should be profitable and sectarian when it should be catholic,” according to an overture to the 2001 General Assembly.
The Presbytery of the Mission in San Antonio, Texas, will vote on the overture, which proposes that the Presbyterian Church (USA) cease making contributions to the National Council of Churches. A previous story on the Layman Online incorrectly said the presbytery had approved the overture.
The overture says the National Council of Churches holds positions that “are unacceptable to the overwhelming majority of Christians in the United States.” The overture does not specify which positions by the NCC were “unacceptable.”
The overture also cites the council’s “continuing history of poor financial stewardship.”
The National Council of Churches spent more than $12 million in reserves to cover years of deficit-spending. The council’s investments now are about $3 million. Auditors say none of the principal can be used to cover operating expenses.
The council had to raise more than $2 million, including $500,000 from the Presbyterian Church, to balance its 1999 books. After having cut its operating expenses by more than 35 percent – principally through layoffs – the council has projected a break-even operation for the first six months of 2001. But the projection for income includes money that has not materialized, including $800,000 in member contributions and $250,000 in foundation support.
The 2000 General Assembly rejected an overture that called for a reduction in contributions by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the National Council of Churches.