PCUSA leading U.S. supporter of World Council of Churches
The Presbyterian Layman, January 8, 1999
The Presbyterian Church (USA) contributes more money to the World Council of Churches than any other U.S. denomination or organization, according to financial documents published by the World Council of Churches.
The World Council of Churches Financial Report 1996 says the PCUSA’s contributions that year totaled 1,830,480 Swiss Francs. That’s $1,322,403 in US dollars according to recent conversion rates.
The second-leading contributor to the WCC was the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA at $1,388,550 Swiss Francs, or $967,015 in US dollars. The PCUSA is also a leading contributor to the National Council of Churches.
Of the US denominations, the United Methodist Church was second to the PCUSA in its support of the WCC, according to the council’s documents. Methodist support was 1,221,037 Swiss Francs or $805,197 in US dollars. The United Methodist Church has nearly three times as many members as the PCUSA.
The Disciples of Christ (Christian) ranked third in support at $415,310 in US dollars, followed by (5th) the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, $325,515; (6th) the Episcopal Church, $234,046; (7th) the United Church of Christ, $227,821; and (8th) the American Baptist Church, $75,154.
On a per-capita basis, according to WCC documents, the Disciples of Christ offer the greatest support, 45 cents per member. The PCUSA is second in per-capital support at 36 cents per member.