Information about 2011 apportionments in the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Information about 2011 apportionments in the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church Apportionments undergird our connectional mission and ministry. Gardens require care. Those of us who grow our own gardens find it helpful to refer to the Farmers Almanac. Those who tend the garden that God has planted in the Memphis Conference have two almanacs to help guide us The Bible, and The Discipline of the United Methodist Church ( (c)(2)e). As a leader, I have the responsibility to help my congregation know the nutrients needed to grow the garden, and the care needed to be faithful stewards. There are many ways that we tend God s garden. Our first, and best tool: our prayers. I am certain that we all pray for the ministries that God has planted throughout our conference. Another useful tool: our presence. Many disciples of Jesus Christ in the Memphis Conference are present when new seeds are planted, or when disasters overtake the garden, and hopefully when it is time for harvest. Witness scatters seeds for new disciples to both tend and to grow the garden. You will notice that the tools that we have been given are those we agreed to take up when we offered our vows of church membership. These tools have been passed on to us - the current laborers in God s field. Please prayerfully consider how your participation through your local church nurtures the tender seeds that have been planted in ministry not only within the boundaries of our Memphis Conference, but which have also been planted throughout the world. John R. Bonson, Sr. Director of Connectional Ministries This document explains how our gifts tend God s garden through the Memphis Conference. Service happens daily throughout the garden planted in our conference. Local churches open their doors to those who do not know Jesus Christ, or who simply need a cup of cool water.

2 World Service Fund: $919,496 The World Service Fund is the core of our world-wide ministry as United Methodists. It funds our missionaries, the new Path One strategy for new church development, infrastructure that allows every cent of your contributions to UMCOR for disaster relief to go directly to victims anywhere in the world and so much more. Connectional Ministries: $868,971 The mission of the Connectional Ministries Team is to assist local churches as they fulfill their mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Local churches can call upon the CMT for resources in planning and implementing ministries. Your gifts to Connectional Ministries also provide seed monies for Outreach Agencies serving in your name: Memphis United Methodist Neighborhood Centers, Reelfoot Rural Ministries, Metropolitan Interfaith Association, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, Regional InterFaith Association, Martin: We Care Ministries, United Methodist Family Services of Western Kentucky, Kentucky Council of Churches, Hannah s Hope. New Church Development: $145,155 The Memphis Conference has started a movement to establish 50 new faith communities by This fund prepares church planters to be sent into our local mission field to reach new disciples of Jesus Christ. Lakeshore Assembly: $240,000 Lakeshore nurtures the lives of everyone who attends events and camps both on and off the campsite. Lakeshore is a primary partner with local churches for building Christian character and for producing maturing Christian disciples. Lakeshore plays a vital role in helping all ages solidify their dedication to Christ and even respond to callings into various Christian vocations. District Superintendents: $777,500 As shepherds, supervisors and spiritual leaders, District Superintendents are the face of the annual conference. This fund provides for all personnel, administrative, training and programming expenses in each district. Episcopal Fund: $258,066 As the lead shepherds of the entire United Methodist Church, bishops all around the world shape our connectional ministries. The Episcopal Fund funds the ministries of bishops both in the United States and around the world. Through this fund, you continue to provide for bishops in Africa and Asia where the church is exploding. Episcopal Residence: $5,000 The Memphis and the Tennessee Conferences share equal responsibility for providing and maintaining the Episcopal residence in Nashville. Equitable Compensation: $210,000 Each year, a minimum salary level is set for full-time elders serving in ministry. Your participation in this fund helps smaller churches receive the leadership of a Full Elder. Missional Salary Support: $58,500 Your giving to this fund allows District Superintendents to support full salary levels for those who are engaged in missional settings. Transitioning Packages: $27,000 Your giving to this fund allows District Superintendents to support clergy development within their districts. Clergy Wellness Commission: $1,551,142 Your conference takes wellness seriously. Healthy clergy enable healthy churches to be faithful to their call. Your giving to this fund provides healthcare and disability benefits for active and retired clergy, their spouses and dependent children, as well as conference clergy and lay staff who serve beyond the local church. Conference Board of Pensions: $2,041,964 This fund provides pension benefits for retired and active clergy. Lay staff of the annual conference and local churches have the opportunity to be participants in the pension plan. General Church Administration: $100,336 Delegates from all over the world gather every four years in General Conference. They become the official legislative body that defines our doctrine, our constitution, and our policies. This fund sustains the work of the General Conference as well as the work of the Judicial Council which rules on all legal interpretation of the Book of Discipline within the church. Jurisdictional Support: $99,365 This fund supports the work of Lake Junaluska in North Carolina, which is the home of the Foundation for Evangelism as well as the site where the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference gathers every four years. This fund also supports the Hinton Rural Life Center (also in North Carolina), and Gulfside Assembly on the Gulf Coast. Nashville Area Executive Assistant: $62,728 The Nashville Area Executive Assistant supports and helps facilitate the work and schedule of the bishop. Conference Administration: $834,968 This fund supports the basic infrastructure of the annual conference. It provides for administration of the funds of the conference. The fund assists with ministerial support. Your support assists in planning the annual gathering, coordination and communications with regional and general boards and agencies of The United Methodist Church, as well as the maintenance of conference property. Ministerial Education Fund: $310,628 Your giving to this fund provides assistance to those who are called to serve churches as clergy as they pursue educational requirements for ordination. The fund also supports United Methodist seminaries, and seminary-based continuing education for clergy currently serving within our conference. Africa University Fund: $27,731 Your church has established Africa University. The dream of indigenous educational opportunities within Africa for new leaders and every field of study has become reality. Our global connection shares in the ministry of Africa University as it transforms the continent and touches the world. The Memphis Conference has created the Dream Farm where sustainable farming holds promise for local African farmers to impact generations to come. Your gifts to this fund help keep the dream alive every day. Black College Fund: $123,904 This fund helps sustain eleven historically black, United Methodistrelated institutions. Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi and Meharry College in Nashville, Tennessee call our area home. These eleven colleges help shape the lives of African American students. Campus Ministries: $695,564 The Methodist movement began on a college campus. John Wesley was a campus minister. Your conference continues the tradition of a collegerelated church by supporting ministries throughout our area. These campus ministries touch the lives of teens as they grow through their college years, and offer opportunities for witness among local churches. Many experience their call to ministry both laity and clergy on campuses where you have provided a home away from home. Lambuth University Sustaining: $405,000 The Memphis Conference continues a vital relationship with our own Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. The Sustaining Fund helps to provide for quality education on a Christian campus. Lambuth prepares leaders for the challenges of today as well as those that will emerge tomorrow. Interdenominational Cooperation $24,205 This fund facilitates communication and cooperation with other Christian denominations. This fund supports ecumenical ministries and Pan- Methodist cooperation with other denominations in our Wesleyan family tree such as the Christian Methodist Episcopal, the American Methodist Episcopal, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches. This publication was produced in 2010 by the Connectional Ministries and Treasurer s Offices of the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church. 24 Corporate Blvd., Jackson, TN Phone director.mcumc@eplus.net, communications.mcumc@eplus.net Web site:

3 It can be done! District Superintendents applaud Paris District for percent payout of apportionments The Paris District of the Memphis Conference had a percent payout of apportionments for the year This was announced as part of the District Superintendent Report at the 2010 Memphis Annual Conference in June in Collierville, TN. The Report, delivered by Cabinet Dean Dr. Rick C. Dye, superintendent of the Paducah District, applauded the Paris District and said, We all need to be reminded that it can be done! Joseph A.Geary is the superintendent of the Paris District. He assumed that position in September, In July, 2010, he answered some questions from The Memphis Conference Reporter about his district s payout record, but not before insisting that credit go to the laity of the district s churches and the pastors who care for them. Describing the Paris District pastors, Geary said, Their timely leadership often offered in difficult circumstances was crucial. I especially thank those who fought for 100 percent payout. It was hard work at the local level. Q~ First, can you describe the location and boundaries of the Paris District? The Paris District includes the entirety of Calloway County, Kentucky, as well as Henry, Benton and Carroll Counties in Tennessee. Additionally, the district includes one church in Madison County and one charge in Weakley County, Tennessee. The district is bordered by the Tennessee River on the East and the counties adjacent to those aforementioned in Kentucky and Tennessee. The district office is centrally located in Paris, Tennessee. Q~ What do you believe are the primary reasons the churches in your district collectively achieved such a high percentage payout in 2009? First and foremost, our ability to pay our apportionments comes from a trusting faith in God who has created all resources and calls us to be faithful stewards. We take seriously the teachings of our Lord Jesus who is our model for redemptive giving. We also call on the Holy Spirit who will lead us into all manner of truth

4 including our need to give to others. Also, Methodism in the Memphis Conference began in geography that now composes the Paris District and many of our churches exhibit a deep loyalty to and an affinity for the United Methodist Church. The Paris District has a strong pride in paying its apportionments and a loyalty to the Wesleyan notion of giving that perhaps other areas have to build. Because the Paris District has Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly, the Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry at Murray State and four Wesley retirement communities within its bounds, people see and respond to United Methodist outreach and presence in the area. We also have some favorable circumstances and conditions in the Paris District that helped make this accomplishment possible. Q~ What are those favorable circumstances and conditions? I want to be very clear that one reason the Paris District had a 99% plus payout record in 2009 was that a number of churches gave additional monies beyond their apportioned amount to Lambuth University in We had more churches in the Paris District that did not pay their apportionments in full than it appears. Out of 72 churches, however, only six did not pay in full. I also want to stress that what has worked for the Paris District might not necessarily work in other districts where socioeconomic and other factors are different. I recognize that things can happen to a community, region, state or our country in any year that are uncontrollable and can adversely affect giving. We also have a strong tailwind here in the Paris District with historically high payout percentages. To achieve nearly 100 percent, we did not have that big of a gap to close. All that said, I think what has been accomplished in the Paris District shows that near 100 percent apportionment payment is possible, while not always probable. Q~ How does this percent achievement compare to previous years? The Paris District has historically led the Conference in payout percentage or been very near the top. Q~ What have been the roles of pastors and lay leadership in this achievement? Most of our churches are served by pastors and lay leadership that advocate for the full payment of apportionments and routinely interpret where the giving goes and what it accomplishes. Q~ At your district s clergy meetings, are there discussions about apportionment payments? Clergy meetings are held monthly with a high percentage attendance. Interpreting apportionments is given a high priority with representatives of conference agencies routinely present to help us understand what a difference our giving makes. Q~ As Paris District Superintendent, do you watch apportionment payments? I monitor monthly apportionment remittance reports on every local church and speak immediately to pastors whose churches are falling behind on payment. The payment record for each

5 pastor is on the agenda at annual consultation meetings. Q~ How do you provide encouragement and motivation for paying apportionments throughout the year? Churches that pay their apportionments in full earlier in the year, rather than at the end of 10 or 12 months which is expected of all, receive a letter of commendation. I remind congregations during the annual charge conference that alone we could not afford a church camp, a Christian university or a campus ministry, but that together we can have these redemptive ministries and others by paying our apportionments in full. Having visited many of our United Methodist partners in ministry throughout the world through short-term missions, I am able to share the impact a ministry supported by an apportionment had on one life. Examples are often given at charge conferences using one illustration from the Memphis Conference and one from either a national or international setting. This gives a name and a face to a line item. I take every opportunity possible to have teaching moments concerning what the apportionments are and why they need to be paid fully. For example, one of our pastors was placed on incapacity leave this past year due to a serious illness. I reminded churches that their faithfulness in paying apportionments meant this family would have income and continuing health coverage. Paying the proportional apportionment payments in full allows us to pay for benefits that are extended to pastors in advance, believing in good faith that the congregation will pay these items in total. Q~ What do you do to educate and motivate pastors who are new to the Paris District about paying apportionments in full? Each new pastor moving into the Paris District receives a letter of expectation about giving leadership toward the full payment of apportionments. Q~ What are some things about the Paris District that you think contribute to its healthy apportionment giving? There are 72 churches in the Paris District and 42 pastoral charges. The District still holds Charge Conferences in each of the 42 pastoral charges rather than utilizing a single district conference or cluster or county conferences. Our churches respond very well to having the Presiding Elder in the parish conduct the conference. This gives individual time and opportunity to address areas that are specific to a given context. Personally coming and extending a certificate of full payment with accompanying words of interpretation and thanks acknowledges the contributions of each church. The Paris District Lay Leader and Paris District Lay Resource Leader visit all churches on a rotating basis for worship, Bible Study and other gatherings. They join me at Charge Conferences to hear and receive some of the reports. They join me in expressing appreciation for the payment of apportionments, as well as helping the churches to celebrate all aspects of ministry and mission. Q~ What are some things you did that you think contributed to the Paris District s near 100 percent apportionment payment in 2009? First of all, I pray I provided leadership, and I pray the leadership was helpful. I believe in placing an emphasis on missions and always try to inform and educate about the missional work of the Memphis Conference. I believe this information helps people feel connected and helps them develop an identity as United Methodists. I visit two to three churches each Sunday for worship on a rotating basis. In any given year, I am in every church two to three times

6 for reasons other than the Charge Conference. I believe my presence as district superintendent strengthens our connection and inspires churches to pay their apportionments in full. I work to be accessible, visible and available. I hold several in residence days in counties beyond the location of the district office. Lay Leaders, active and retired clergy, Charge Pastor/Parish Relations Committee Chairs and persons inquiring about licensed or ordained ministry, are among those invited from the particular county to come to a central location and meet me, without appointment, to speak about any matter that concerns them. This availability, with evening hours, allows access to those who find it difficult to come by the District Office at some distance to them during the day. This availability and visibility also strengthens our District and has had a positive outcome on the importance of the connection and the payment of apportionments. I believe there is a direct correlation between how connected a church feels to the various ministries of The United Methodist Church and whether or not it pays its apportionments in full. Q~ What can you tell us about the role of the Paris District Apportionment Review Committee? It is made up of positive, thoughtful, sensitive lay persons from throughout the district whose churches have a demonstrated record of embracing the full payment of their apportionments. These Review Committee members have gone two by two to visit the congregational leadership of the handful of Paris District Churches that did not pay their apportionments fully in This peer-topeer approach has largely been received positively and some of the churches have developed plans that will lead to full payment in Nothing is more effective than for laity who have a strong affinity for United Methodist beliefs, polity and theology to share that with others. It becomes a kind of positive peer pressure. For the very few churches that are able to pay their apportionments in full but refuse to do so, the committee is documenting their efforts that will ultimately lead to other measures being taken. Obviously, the vast majority of the Paris District churches embrace our connectional system of financially supporting our common ministries and priorities as Wesleyans. Q~ How do apportionment payments for 2010 look in the Paris District? Together we will all give our best to see that the Paris District fully supports all that is asked of it in 2010 to fund ministry and mission in the name and power of Jesus Christ. The truth, however, is that we may do the exact same things in 2010 without the same result. Prayerfully, not! The Paris District has not achieved anything more or better than what was asked of it or any other district. I would encourage other districts to find the particular strategies that will work for their particular circumstances.

7 Frequently Asked Questions About GIVING in The United Methodist Church Source: What is connectional giving? Connectional giving is built upon our desire to meet the needs of God s family in our neighborhoods and around the world and our need to give in order to be spiritually healthy, complete children of God. John Wesley urged those in connection with him to Earn all you can and save all you can, so that you can give all you can. He modeled modest living and sacrificial giving. Wesley made sure those early classes of methodists took weekly offerings for outreach. Today, we United Methodists join across our connected congregations to help all of God s children whenever and wherever we can. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes when the crowd grew hungry. Through our congregations, we are the heart, spirit and hands of God s outreaching love. What is the connectional covenant? The connectional covenant is the pledge to financially support in full the general funds of The United Methodist Church, established by the General Conference to underwrite the minimum needs of denominational ministries, which are the first benevolent responsibility of the Church. What are benevolences? Benevolences is a term used in The United Methodist Church to describe monetary gifts to causes carrying out the mission and program of the denomination. These funds are distinguished from those which provide for the administration of the church organization, such as administrative expenditures and salaries at the local church, the Annual Conference, and denominational levels. In the Annual Conference they are called Conference Benevolences. In the general church they are called World Service Benevolences. What is designated giving? In addition to supporting conference and general church apportionments, each of us has the opportunity to make gifts to specific ministries. Three opportunities for designated giving are: Churchwide Special Sundays with offering The Advance for Christ and His Church World Service Special Gifts What are the names of the apportioned funds? There are seven apportioned funds of The United Methodist Church: World Service Fund Africa University Fund Black College Fund Episcopal Fund General Administration Fund Interdenominational Cooperation Fund Ministerial Education Fund What are the names of the churchwide Special Sundays with Offerings? There are six churchwide Special Sundays with Offerings of The United Methodist Church: Human Relations Day One Great Hour of Sharing Native American Ministries Sunday Peace with Justice Sunday World Communion Sunday United Methodist Student Day What is the difference between a churchwide Special Sunday with Offering and a conference Special Sunday? According to The Book of Discipline 2008, Six churchwide special Sundays with offerings shall be celebrated in each United Methodist Church: Human Relations Day, One Great Hour of Sharing, Native American Ministries Sunday, Peace with Justice Sunday, World Communion Sunday and United Methodist Student Day. These offerings are slated on specific dates, with proceeds going toward specific ministries. Four special Sundays are without offering: Heritage Sunday, Laity Sunday, Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday and Men s Ministry Sunday. Four churchwide Sundays Christian Education, Disability Awareness, Golden Cross and Rural Life provide opportunities for annual conference offerings; each conference determines the dates of these observances and how the offerings will be used. What are First Mile and Second Mile giving? In The United Methodist Church, first mile giving refers to the apportioned amount local churches give to the World Service Fund, which underwrites the ministries and functions of the church. After this, the six remaining apportioned funds (Africa University Fund, Black College Fund, Episcopal Fund, General Administration Fund, Interdenominational Cooperation Fund and Ministerial Education Fund) round out the first mile giving. Second mile giving are opportunities for churches to give to other mission and ministries once apportioned giving is fulfilled. Examples of second mile giving are the churchwide Special Sundays with offerings, The Advance and conference benevolences. These giving opportunities are not apportioned by the general church to each local church, but the purpose of these ministries is vital and participation is encouraged. After meeting the first mile apportioned giving, we can continue to touch lives in a real and personal way. When we give, we are sharing the love of Christ with others and giving back a small portion of all that he has given to us. Where can I obtain additional information about connectional giving? Visit umcgiving.org. csc@umcom. org. Call Ask about the booklet: Why We Apportion: A Theology of United Methodist Giving, product # This booklet gives the biblical foundation for the apportionment system. It includes information about the Four Areas of Focus, our Wesleyan heritage and biblical stewardship. Proverbs 22:9 (New King James Version) 9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

8 Memphis Conference 2011 The United Methodist Church LOCAL REGIONAL NATIONAL GLOBAL WORLD SERVICE & CONFERENCE BENEVOLENCES 1 World Service $919,496 2 Connectional Ministries $868,971 3 New Church Development $145,155 4 Lakeshore $240,000 CONNECTIONAL MINISTERIAL SUPPORT 5 District Superintendents $777,500 6 Episcopal fund $258,066 7 Episcopal Residence $5,000 8 Equitable Compensation $210,000 9 Missional Salary Support $58, Transitioning Packages $27, Clergy Wellness Commission $1,551, Conference Board of Pensions $2,041,964 ADMINISTRATION 13 General Church Administration $100, Jurisdictional Askings $99, Area Executive Assistant $62, Conference Administration $784,968 HIGHER EDUCATION 17 Ministerial Education Fund $310, Africa University Fund $27, Black College Fund $123, Campus Ministries i i $290, Lambuth University Sustaining Fund $405,000 ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES 22 Interdenominational Cooperation $24,205 $7,400,764 $167,093 $434,532 $1,329,834 BUDGET TOTAL $9,332,223 2% 5% Where Our Contributions Go 14% 79% LOCAL REGIONAL NATIONAL GLOBAL