New York, NY(ABNS 11/26/12)—On behalf of the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) distributed $669,077 to 3,370 retired ABCUSA ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses. These funds are allocated annually as part of The Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO).
The RMMO, one of four national ABCUSA offerings is a tangible way for American Baptist congregations to say “Thank You For …” the commitment, service and spiritual guidance to those who have served ABCUSA for 15 or more years. This year’s checks range from a minimum amount of $50 dollars for 15 years of service to a maximum amount of $300 dollars for 35 years or more of service. The average amount of the “Thank You” check in 2012 was $198.54.
A. Roy Medley, ABCUSA general secretary noted, “These checks allow the ABC family to tell those who have dedicated their lives to Christ and our denomination ‘Thank You For…’ your generous contributions that help us along the way on our spiritual journey and bring a sense of unity amongst all of us.”
Since 1980, MMBB has also sent “Thank You” checks drawn directly from MMBB funds to eligible retired lay church employees. This year, MMBB sent 669 checks, totaling $99,894. In addition to the “Thank You” checks, during 2012 MMBB distributed money from RMMO emergency assistance funds to eligible retirees with emergency and other financial needs.
The RMMO will be received by most ABC congregations on Sunday, December 2, 2012, and many of those churches will continue accepting contributions through the end of December.
If you want to initiate an RMMO project in your church, you can order promotional materials from Judson Press and ABCUSA. To contact Judson Press, please call 800.458.3766 (toll free) or visit ABCUSA online at www.abc-usa.org.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.