As denominations across the country face drops in giving and rising expenses, one denomination was able to turn a surplus despite a forecasted deficit.

Mennonite Church Canada (MC Canada) was expecting to run a deficit of $239,000 for their fiscal year which ended on January 31, 2019. Instead, the denomination had a surplus of $42,000.

The good news was presented at the denominations Gathering 2019 near the end of June.

The Canadian Mennonite reports that "The modest surplus was the result of higher-than-forecast revenue from the regional churches, and lower-than-expected expenses in nearly every budget category."

The denomination has made significant budget and structural changes to deal with new realities that many churches now face. That included drastically cutting their budget and laying off staff.

Moderator Calvin Quan says that “the work of International Witness continues to be a significant priority,” for MC Canada and that “focus on Indigenous-Settler Relations ministry continues.”

He says that the denomination is still navigating how to best practice reconciliation “Living into these calls to action ... has tested our commitment to seek reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours as much as it has challenged us to seek consensus on a complex issue with varying understandings across our nationwide church.”