Our Church's Wider Mission

Our Church’s Wider Mission
It’s who we are!

Some frequently asked questions about Our Church’s Wider Mission:

What is it?

Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) funds the Connecticut Conference and the national ministries of the UCC. Our Church’s Wider Mission includes Basic Support, for the funding of core programs; and Special Support, for specific mission opportunities through the four UCC special mission offerings.

How much of my offering every Sunday goes to Our Church’s Wider Mission?

Every congregation decides for itself how much to contribute to OCWM. Most give between 5% and 20% of their operating expenses to Our Church’s Wider Mission. This means that local churches use between 80 and 95 cents of every dollar locally. The Connecticut Conference sends 63% of OCWM contributions to national ministries, or about 6 cents of the Sunday dollar. On average, Conferences use about 2 ½ cents out of every dollar, and the national ministries receive 2 cents out of every dollar given by UCC members.

How much total Our Church’s Wider Mission money is received by the Connecticut Conference UCC?

In 2007, the Connecticut Conference received $2,661,450 in OCWM contributions. This included $371,900 in receipts from the four UCC special mission offerings (Neighbors in Need, The Christmas Fund, Strengthen the Church, and One Great Hour of Sharing).

How much total Our Church’s Wider Mission money is received by the national ministries of the UCC?

In 2007, the UCC national ministries received $15,684,424 in OCWM contributions. This included $5,306,449 in receipts from the four UCC special mission offerings (Neighbors in Need, The Christmas Fund, Strengthen the Church, and One Great Hour of Sharing). These contributions for Our Church’s Wider Mission represent about 2% of total church giving by UCC members.

How much money given to Our Church’s Wider Mission is spent on administration?

In the national ministries of the UCC, 7.4% ($688,200) of total Our Church’s Wider Mission contributions are budgeted in 2008 for administration, which includes the costs of overall organization of the national ministries and those parts of salaries, benefits, financial operations, rent, office costs, insurance, and professional fees that apply to administration.

In the Connecticut Conference, 5.1% of Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support Contributions are budgeted in 2008 for administration, which includes budgeting and accounting, endowment management, computers and office equipment, property expenses, insurance, capital expenditures and many other expenses. Fees offset almost 20% of administrative expenses. No administrative deductions are made from OCWM Special Support contributions, including the four regular offerings and disaster response gifts.

How is giving to Our Church’s Wider Mission different from giving to other good causes?

Our Church’s Wider Mission keeps the church strong, even as it engages in mission and outreach to others. The church has a unique and important role to play in our society and the world, today and for future generations. You can help sustain the church and its ministries by supporting Our Church’s Wider Mission in your congregation.