2008 Ministry Shares Budget
SHARING IN MINISTRY BEYOND OURSELVES
Churches in the West Michigan Conference share in ministry and outreach beyond themselves through first-mile giving called Ministry Shares. The following budget summarizes how these funds are shared:
For a printable West Michigan Conference Budget Brochure, Click Here
GENERAL CHURCH APPORTIONMENTS
A. World Service Fund $1,022,020
Our share of the essential core of the global outreach ministry of The United Methodist Church. This worldwide outreach supports missionaries, builds and strengthens churches and brings the saving grace and healing of Christ to persons worldwide that a local church could not do alone. Provides funds for resources for our churches in evangelism, youth ministries, education, stewardship and other ministries.
B. Ministerial Education Fund $321,490
Supports the education of tomorrow’s ministers in our 13 UM seminaries. One-fourth of the amount remains in our Conference under the administration of the Board of Ordained Ministry for seminary scholarships and loans.
C. Black Colleges Fund $128,016
Assists funding of the eleven predominantly African-American colleges. These colleges are open to students regardless of racial origin.
D. Africa University $28,270
In Zimbabwe, we are now funding the first UM university in Africa. This university educates Africans to be ministers, teachers, healers and leaders for Africans.
E. Episcopal Fund $258,694 Support for active and retired bishops and for the ministry of the Council of Bishops.
F. General Administration $87,079
Underwrites the work of the General Conference, administration of the finances of the denomination and the safeguarding of the legal interests and assets, maintains denominational record.
G. Interdenom. Cooperation $25,392
Nurtures the ministries of churches uniting in Christ, the World Methodist Council, the Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation
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GENERAL CHURCH $1,870,961
CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES
A. District Superintendents $1,068,459
Provides for salary, pension, travel, utilities and office expenses for our six district superintendents.
B. Equitable Compensation $200,000
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 $100,000
Helps pay the proportional costs of
health insurance of retired pastors and/or
their dependents.
D. Ministerial Pension Reserve $10,000
Supplements pension contributions.
E. Moving Expense Fund $130,000
Provides for the cost of moving pastors’ household when changes in appointment are made.
F. Board of Ordained Ministry $65,000
Supports the recruitment, evaluation, professional development, supervision, and assists in the transition and advocacy of clergy.
G. Clergy Transition & Advocacy $10,000
H. Abuse Prevention Team $500
H. Connectional Contingency $10,000
CONNECTIONAL MINISTRES $1,593,959
CONFERENCE BENEVOLENCE
(Line item budget to be determined by Council on Ministries)
A. Conf. Council on Ministries
Includes the support for conference staff persons office expenses and support staff salaries for the Conference Center in Grand Rapids.
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. UM Community House, Metro Ministry, Clark Retirement Community, Volunteers. In Missions, etc.
F. Congregational Transformation
Provides leadership in revitalizing congregations.
G. Racial Ethnic Local Church
Supplements program costs and building needs of racial ethnic local churches and ministries.
H. Indian Workers Conference
Ministry with Native Americans in the West Michigan Conference.
I. Board of Higher Education
Provides for five campus ministries, support for Albion and Adrian colleges.
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.
L. Communications
Resources and technology to support interpret-
tation of mission and ministry.
M. Other Ministries
Christian Unity, Religion & Race,COSROW,
Personnel,UMM,Hunger,PrisonMinistry,
Disability Concerns, Emerging Ministry
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CONFERENCE BENEVOLENCE $1,900,000
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NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT $351,000
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 $30,000
Provide funding for hosting the 2008 Jurisdictional Conference and our share of annual jurisdictional expenses.
B. Michigan Area Support $143,268
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. $285,900
Covers the cost of operations of the Treasurer’s office, administrative
services in the Conference Center and financial audit of the Conference.
2. Conference Property $137,000
Maintenance, insurance and utilities of district and staff parsonages and the Conference Center and legal expenses of the Conference.
3. United Methodist Foundation $35,000
Support for development of stewardship, fundraising, bequests and endowments.
4. Conference Program Committee $15,000
Annual Conference session program expenses.
5. Nominations & Leadership
Development $6,000
6. Conference Secretary $36,000
Includes honoraria, travel, supplies, editing and publishing the Conference Journal.
7. Conference Statistician $500
Statistician’s expenses and assistants’ honoraria.
8. Conference Victims’ Fund $2,500
Provides counseling for victims of clergy misconduct.
9. Legal Contingencies $5,000
Provides for miscellaneous legal expenses.
10. Conference Committees $8,500
Covers expenses of ad hoc committees for which no specific provisions were made.
11. At Large lay Member Expenses $24,000
Covers expenses of At Large Members to Annual Conference from each district.
12. Archives and History $14,325
Support for overall direction and coordination of Conference ministries
13. Administration Contingency $20,000
Provides for unforeseen administrative expenses.
14. Conference Budget Reserve $80,000
Provides for shortfall in apportionment giving in any section of the budget
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ADMINISTRATION FUNDS $842,993
GRAND TOTAL $6,558,913
(Request additional copies from the Conference Treasurer’s Office)
SECOND MILE GIVING
Churches and individuals are encouraged to contribute beyond the apportioned amount by giving to the Advance for Christ and His Church to support ministries and missionaries throughout the world.
Special Sunday Offerings in 2008
1. Human Relations Sunday* - January 20
2. One Great Hour of Sharing* - March 2
3. Native American Ministries* - Sunday, April 6
4. Peace with Justice Sunday* - May 18
5. World Communion Sunday* - October 5
6. United Methodist Student Day - November 30
7. Racial Ethnic Local Church Sunday - February 3
8. Golden Cross Sunday - May 4
9. United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Awareness - June 1
10. Rural Life Sunday - August 31
11. Christian Education Sunday - September 14
12. Children and Poverty - date to be selected by church
13. Camp Sunday - date to be selected by church
14. Disability Awareness Sunday (without offering) - Oct. 26
* Order envelopes from UM Communications 1-888-346-3862