Finances of the Evangelical Church: Ravensburg's communities under pressure!

Finances of the Evangelical Church: Ravensburg's communities under pressure!

In a dramatic meeting of the Synod of the Evangelical Church District Ravensburg on Saturday in the Ludwig-Roos-Halle in Ettenkirch, chaired by Kurt König, alarming financial developments were discussed. The church tax revenue is in a descent, and the number of members has reduced to 53,419 - a decrease of 2.6 percent compared to the previous year! A worrying signal for the future of the communities!

The regional church only assigned the church district to 7,461,586 euros for 2024, which means only a minimal increase of 0.7 percent. But the joy about it could fly quickly, because next year the distribution contribution of 288,600 euros will be lost! This means a further decline in the budget by about three percent. The synod decided to reduce allocations to the communities and drastically reduce funds for day care centers from 350,000 to 250,000 euros. Instead, three euros per community song will flow to the parishes in the future - a small relief in a stormy financial sea.

Increasing costs and growing advisory needs

The situation is exacerbated by increasing wages and costs! Managing Director Ralf Brennecke warned at the Synod that the need for advice and support has increased enormously while the tax funds decrease. In order not to continue to burden the reserves, the expenses were critically examined. The integration management in Ravensburg now receives the urgently needed financing, but the psychological advice center has to delete half a position - a painful but necessary step!

Despite the challenges, Diakonie Oab will remain active and will take over the sponsorship for the kindergartens in Friedrichshafen next year. The volunteers in the predicate service are becoming more important because the resources become scarcer. Dean Martin Hauff commissioned several predicants for another six years to continue to support the community. A race against time to maintain the valuable services!