But economy could affect tithe and offerings

World-wide Seventh-day Adventist Church finance officers say they are not currently considering a change in investment strategy in light of recent economic declines, a move they say is "prudent" considering their long-term view.

As major U.S. investment banks fold during a global credit crunch resulting largely from a slump in the U.S. housing market, church officials plan to continue a 20- to 30-year outlook for managing the world church's retirement fund investments. The church's ministry and ability to launch new initiatives would be most affected by any decrease in tithes and offerings, said Roy Ryan, associate treasurer and investment manager for the Adventist world church.

"We're monitoring the situation," Ryan said. "While it is fair to say that the budget being prepared for recommendation to Annual Council next month is not aggressive, we do feel that it preserves the ability of the church to move forward with its mission."

He later told some 80 church leaders during a regularly scheduled leadership meeting at the world church's headquarters on September 18 that the economy could be in "uncharted territory." The U.S. government has spent about US$600 billion in the last few weeks to prop up financial institutions.

"A widely held view is that the housing market has to stabilize and that just hasn't happened at this point," Ryan told church leaders. Until then, he said the church would continue its current investment strategy.

"We feel the portfolios of the church's investments are prudently invested," Ryan said.

Church Treasurer Robert Lemon told Adventist church leaders he thought the market would recover as it has after previous downturns, albeit not as quickly.

"I'm fearful that after this particular drop -- because it has such wide underpinning on housing and the availability of credit -- the market will be slower to come back," Lemon said.

Church President Jan Paulsen encouraged church leaders, saying "None of us is a prophet ... but the Lord said, 'Do not worry about tomorrow.' That to me is a very fundamental statement. It's not light-hearted.

"We'll move forward in obedience to the Lord and do the best we can in mission," Paulsen said. [Editor: Ansel Oliver for ANN/APD]