Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Office of the Presiding Bishop.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) began in 1987 with a broad range of boards, divisions, and commissions. By 1991 it was realized that there was an insufficient amount of money in the ELCA budget to fund all of the proposed ministries. In an attempt to balance the budget, synod bishops were asked to reduce synod spending by two percent; many felt this would be impossible, however, and decided to opt for a special offering to provide sufficient funds. Part of the reason for the lack of funds was incorrect estimates of synod contributions to the churchwide organization. The ELCA received over million less than expected in 1990. Consequently in budgets for succeeding years synods lowered their income estimates. The ELCA was forced to reduce unit expenditures by million for 1991. The Church Council authorized a churchwide appeal for the fall of 1991 in an attempt to raise enough funding in order to allow certain ministries, such as global missions, social service agencies, seminaries and colleges, and new congregations, to continue. The Special Churchwide Offering was a success, raising .5 million.

However, the ELCA still underwent a restructuring in 1992 in an attempt to streamline ministries and keep the churchwide organization under budget. Three more special offerings were called in the next two years. In 1992 an Ingathering was called, due to a still underfunded budget for ELCA ministries. Individuals, congregations, synods, and ELCA agencies and institutions contributed to support global missions, outreach, and theological education. 1993 brought two special fund-raising initiatives: a Churchwide Offering and the Vision for Mission Fund. The Churchwide Offering was authorized by the Church Council to allow the Division of Congregational Ministries (DCM) and the ELCA Foundation to raise additional income via offerings from individuals, congregations, and related organizations. The Vision for Mission Fund was approved in tandem with the 1993 Churchwide offering. It was an attempt to bring more money to the ELCA synods and churchwide offices. Until then, ELCA congregational funding increased while synod and churchwide funding decreased.