None of those interviewed for this article has a detailed idea of where their tithe money goes-even those who pay tithe regularly. It is no wonder. A schematic diagram of tithe flow provided by the Southeastern California Conference treasurer looks like the circulatory system of a higher mammal. The denomination has essentially four layers of administration. The Southeastern California Conference is a part of the Pacific Union, which is a part of the North American Division, which is part of the General Conference.
Tithe money shuttles up and down the ladder in a complicated system of distribution.
Where those dollars came to rest shows that 20 percent of the money ends up at the General Conference and in General Conference programs. About 33 percent of the tithe money pays the salaries of church pastors. Nearly 11 percent is spent on world missions. About 15 percent goes to pay the administrative costs at the local conference, union and division level. Other tithe dollars go to K-12 education, the youth camp system, Adventist universities and colleges, and services to local churches.