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Conference Ministry Shares
Within West Michigan, we have a longstanding commitment to excellence in our shared ministries as a conference. Whether in administrative oversight, fiscal resposibility, program and human resources for our local congregations, or in mission outreach within the bounds of our conference, our Conference Ministry Shares are supporting local churches and helping them reach out beyond themselves. These offerings fund our program and outreach ministries, our buildings, and our administrative, program, and support staff. Churchwide in United Methodism, about 12.8% of offerings support district, conference, and jurisdictional ministries.
In West Michigan, Our Conference Ministry Shares are allocated in the following ways:
CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES
A. District Superintendents $979,067
Provides for salary, pension, travel, utilities and office expenses for our six district superintendents.
B. Equitable Compensation $290,000
Provides salary support for pastors serving churches which are not able to meet the minimum salary amount set by the Annual Conference.
C. Retiree Health Care $500,000
Pays the proportional costs of the health insurance of retired pastors and/or their dependents.
D. Ministerial Pension Reserve $10,000
Supplements pension contributions.
E. Moving Expense Fund $160,000
Provides for the cost of moving pastors� household when changes in appointment are made.
F. Board of Ordained Ministry $103,500
Supports the recruitment, evaluation, professional development, supervision, and assists in the transition and advocacy of clergy.
G. Abuse Prevention Team $500
H. Connectional Contingency $20,000
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CONNECTIONAL MINISTRES $2,063,067
CONFERENCE BENEVOLENCE
(Line item budget to be determined)
A. Conference Council on Ministries
Includes the support for conference staff persons office expenses and support staff salaries for the
B. Board of Christian Camping
Subsidy for the operation of the five Conference camps over and above camper fees
C. Board of Church and Society
Provides for the educational and program functions of the Conference in inform churches about legislation and trends dealing with moral and civic concerns such as drugs, alcohol and gambling.
D. Board of Discipleship
Program assistance to churches covering the full range of discipleship, such as education, stewardship, and specialized ministries to children and adults.
E. Board of Global Ministries
The mission programs in our Conference include community outreach and ethnic ministries. Receiving support are more than forty local and statewide mission and outreach ministries including promotion and mission education, e.g. Potter Park, UM Community House, Metro Ministry, Clark Retirement Community, Volunteers. In Missions, etc.
F. Congregational Transformation
Provides leadership in revitalizing congregations.
G. Racial
Supplements program costs and building needs of racial ethnic local churches and ministries.
H. Indian Workers Conference
Supports ministry with Native Americans in the West Michigan Conference.
I. Board of Higher Education
Provides for five campus ministries, support for Albion and
J. Board of Lay Ministries
Supports the development of lay ministries
K. Board of Evangelism
Provides support to ministries which share the Good News of Christ to others.
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CONFERENCE BENEVOLENCE $2,169,000
NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT $409,250
The development and birthing of new congregations is a high priority for the Conference in the fulfillment of our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
MINISTRY OF ADMINISTRATION
A. Jurisdictional Administration $28,150
Our share of Jurisdictional Conference expenses.
B.
Our Share of the support of the area assistant to the bishop, area parsonage and other expenses
C. Annual Conference Administration
1. Council on Finance & Admin. $296,775
Covers the cost of operations of the Treasurer�s office, administrative services in the
2. Conference Property $155,000
Maintenance, insurance and utilities of district and staff parsonages and the
3. United Methodist Foundation $45,000
Development of stewardship, fundraising, bequests and endowments.
4. Conference Program Committee $18,000
Annual Conference session program expenses
5. Nominations & Leadership Development $17,200
6. Conference Secretary $52,200
Includes honoraria, travel, supplies, editing and publishing the Conference Journal.
7. Conference Statistician $700
Statistician�s expenses and assistants� honoraria.
8. Conference Victims� Fund $5,000
Provides counseling of victims of clergy misconduct.
9. Legal Contingencies $6,000
Provides for miscellaneous legal expenses.
10. Conference Committees $3,500
Covers expenses of ad hoc committees for which no specific provisions were made.
11. At Large lay Member Expenses $20,000
Covers expenses of At Large Members to Annual Conference from each district.
12 Conference Leadership Team $1,000
Support for overall direction and coordination of Conference ministries
13. Administration Contingency $25,000
Provides for unforeseen administrative expenses.
14. Conference Budget Reserve $100,000
Provides for shortfall in apportionment giving in any section of the budget
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ADMINISTRATION FUNDS $910,887