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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, DECEMBER 9, 1983
but that is not possible unless we drastically cut other alloca
tions.
In 1984 it is estimated by our advertising agency that television
and/or radio costs will increase 15% over 1983. Therefore, we
must allocate sufficient funds to maintain our present level.
Paper costs, which are considerable for all our publications, are
expected to go up by 10%. Because of budget constraints, Mr.
Armstrong expects the PT circulation to drop a bit in 1984, but
he hopes we can again increase in 1985.
In 1984 we will have substantial payments towards the purchase of
a new G-III. However, these are approximately the same as we
were setting aside during 1983. Canada has been assisting the
U.S. in providing subsidy to certain of our international
offices. That assistance will only be approximately half as much
for 1984. This means that the U.S. will have to pick up this
difference of approximately $800,000, if we continue existing
programs.
When we add all of these considerations together, you might
wonder if there is anything left over for the departments. Even
though it is very tight, we expect to allocate an increase for
all departments. In 1983 we were not able to give an increase to
the departments but had to maintain the 1982 level, with the ex
ception of the cost-of-living increases which had already been
instituted. This year we will allocate a 5% increase for opera
tions for the departments. This does not include salaries, which
are provided for by the above, nor does it include equipment. It
also does not include any special projects paid from contingency
funds. The equipment will again be handled on a corporate rather
than departmental level.
He [ Mr. Armstrong] thought our analysis of the income and ex
penses was good and conservative. At times in the past he said he
stepped out on faith when we did not have the money to do some
things. I mentioned that I thought that it was my job to present
a balanced budget and that he was the one who should decide when
we should step out on faith if doors open and we do not have the
money.
He noted that this has not usually been necessary in
recent years. He said, "God will supply all our needs, not our
extravagant wishes or desires." He referred to Christ's words,
"Give us this day our daily bread," not "our needs for a long time
to come."
I am sure you noticed that there will be an automatic 3% cost-of-living
increase for U.S. employees, including ministers, starting January 1. We
hope this will help a little in your personal and family finances. We wish
it could be more.
All of the budget work papers have not been returned from the various de
partments yet. But there have been a few new expenses not covered in our
"formula" that must be covered somehow. We will probably be involved for
the rest of this month trying to fit them in. And that will probably not be
an easy job.
--Leroy Neff, Treasurer