Paid Apportionments @100%: How and Why?
I asked the Area Cabinet to provide examples of how and why selected churches paid 100% of their Apportionments/Ministry Shares. These churches number 39 and have memberships from 30 to 1500. Rural, urban and suburban, they are located in pockets of poverty and/or affluence.
Why we paid 100%
a. A response to God’s faithfulness
b. A response to people’s needs-a blessing to someone else
c. We make disciples around the world e.g., supporting UMCOR, fighting AIDS, funding higher education, seminaries and missionaries
d. Its United Methodist. It’s a priority. It’s CONNECTIONAL (35,000+ churches bound together.)
e. It’s not a tax but outreach.
f. Our church has a history of paying Apportionment/Ministry Shares. Non-payment brought grief.
g. Our mission dollars at work; the first step in mission support.
h. A tithe of our total income
i. It’s what we do. I didn’t think we have a choice!!!
j. Strong support from laity
k. Committed pastoral leadership; “Education is the key.” Teach Stewardship.
l. “Because the pastor said we have to pay them.”
m. Chose to be a Spotlight church and model giving.
n. Because we celebrate the connection do not lament it.
How we paid 100%
a. Take Special Offering for Ministry Shares monthly.
b. Pay apportionments monthly like a bill-12 equal payments
c. Celebrate apportionments as something positive.
d. Have Stewardship campaigns
e. Educate with stewardship moments by laity, sermons, bulletin inserts, thank you letters, outside speakers, stories from Annual Conference and apportionment dinners
f. Monitor our giving and use graphs.
g. Have been a Spotlight Church for 10 years.
h. Publicize positive feedback from the conference.
i. Prayed a lot.
j. Trusted God to provide.
k. Believe giving is an embodiment of Christian Witness.
l. Pastors gave tithes, offerings and to special campaigns. Pastoral Testimony: “I split my giving between current expenses and apportionments.”
m. Laity gave tithes, offerings and to special drives.
n. Used earmarked Endowment Funds.
o. Developed a culture of faithful giving
For both lay and clergy in these churches, Apportionments/Ministry Shares is a good Word. It is a fruit of Christian Discipleship not a tax. The essence of discipleship-of following Jesus is OTHERS not self. More than a mere play on words; apportionments are in fact “a portion meant for others.” As the historic Book of Discipline suggests about mission, apportionments enable the United Methodist Church to be “a sign of God’s presence in the world.”
Three pastors described how the quest to help others via apportionments worked a miracle in their midst. One church was at 97%. Inspired, the Senior Pastor challenged the leaders of the Church Council to reach 100% by giving $500 himself. Within minutes, the full amount was given.
In October, this church was far behind in apportionments. “No way Jose,” some thought. “If they had the best December ever, it still wouldn’t be enough.” Guess what, the church bettered the best December ever by $20K’s. Clergy and laity pulled together and got it done. And they shouted the victory in Jesus’ name.
Another church launched 30 days of prayer in January 2007-8. Then, they divided the total apportionment by giving units. An in-gathering was held in the fall. Each member brought their gifts forward. One member asked the question “…how is it that we were broke in October and got a windfall in December. One word: FAITH.
I am grateful for every contribution to Ministry Shares/Apportionments by every church. Regrettably, some churches paid zero. It ought not be. Every church has a pastor or laity willing to pay apportionments out of their “abundance or scarcity.” (See February article) “A portion meant for others” demands it. Note: Fuller descriptions of the churches may be found on both conference websites.)