Plymouth UCC in Milwaukee, Wis., has seen an increase in both church expenses and mission giving. During the past 11 years, average worship attendance has grown from 130 to 200 weekly, but the budget has grown too. Here's a breakdown.

Building costs 24%

Staffing costs 89%

*OCWM support 65%

Special offerings 70%

"Part of our story is implementing energy saving measures that have kept our facility costs down, embodied our environmental values and freed up money for mission and outreach," - reports the Rev. Andrew Warner, pastor.

*Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) is the UCC's shared purse for ministry and mission that supports work in the Association, Conference, national and international settings of the church.