APPORTIONMENTS
A SIMPLE WAY FOR ALL UNITED METHODISTS TO BE ACTIVE IN MINISTRY!
(article from the Newsletter Sept. 2009)
The United Methodist Church is unique in many ways. It is quite different from many other denominations in a number of ways. As persons move more from place to place in our current fast-paced society, denominational boundaries are crossed, and that is good.
A clear understanding of our Methodist ways of doing things is not the most important thing on which we concentrate when persons from other denominations join us. Perhaps we should do a better job here, but our efforts seem better spent showing our love and hospitality to these wonderful newcomers.
The unfortunate result, however, is we have a good number of faithful persons serving in all areas of our United Methodist Church who may not be aware of our age-old methods and practices that are perfectly normal to us, but rather strange to them.
We talk about our being a “CONNECTIONAL” Church. Those who have been Methodists all of their lives have no difficulty understanding what this means.
Boiled down into a few words, it means that every active United Methodist Church is a vital part of all United Methodist Churches. Size and location have no bearing on the value of each church. When a person enters the door of a United Methodist Church, he or she feels at home because the worship service is patterned much like his or her
own back home.
The congregation is much like that one back home. Some persons are extremely friendly, and a few are not- just like back home.
Another great advantage of being a part of a “Connectional Church” is the friendly smile and immediate willingness to be of
service when you walk into a United Methodist Church in a strange town while away from home to ask for help. The feeling is as if you have stopped at a relative’s home to seek assistance. The open arms and friendly spirit is always there - when it is learned you’re a part of the Methodist Family!
The United Methodist System is also composed of a systematic way to do a marvelous job of ministry throughout the world. The General Conference of the Untied Methodist Church includes all Annual Conferences, Districts and local Congregations throughout the world. It meets once every four years. Selected Bishops preside at these Conferences that last up to about two weeks, and all matters of the church are regulated - legal and otherwise. Bishops are appointed for four-year terms of active service and remain as Bishops for life.
Annual Conferences are the authority over specified areas with a Bishop presiding over each. We have two Annual Conferences in Georgia - North and South. Bishop James R. King is our current Bishop, having been appointed Bishop of the South Georgia Conference in July, 2008. Bishops are usually appointed for no more than two four-year terms in any one conference.
Each Annual Conference is made up of Districts presided over by Superintendents. There are nine such Districts in the South Georgia Conference, and Brunswick is in the Waycross District.
Sub-Districts are made up of local churches located in an urban and surrounding area.
All church properties - including the parsonages - are financed, built and maintained by the local congregations, but the properties are all part of the United Methodist Church.
The huge Methodist Movement that reaches into every country of the world performs ministries far beyond anything a local church can do by itself. This is done through the teamwork of hundreds of skilled and dedicated workers. This network of vigorous activity is possible only because every Untied Methodist Church in the world helps supply
its share of the money necessary to make these ministries possible and to pay the salaries of those committed to making it all happen.
Each church is apportioned an amount each year to cover the budget of its Annual Conference. The budget of the Annual Conference reflects the needs of the budget of the General Conference. This is the only way these Conferences can function. They have no other source of income. The work of entire United Methodist Church depends on the faithfulness of the giving of the local church!
Since it amounts to proportionate giving, the church has been calling it apportionments for lo these many years.
Brunswick First has been given an amount totaling $66,842 for the
year 2009. In addition, we have been given an amount of $6,427 for
the year as our District Apportionments. That is a total of $73,269.
In case you wondered, the budget of our South Georgia Conference is
$11,795,873.
The following is a list of the Apportionments and a little
information about each. As you read them, let your heart swell with
pride as you realize how far your apportionment dollars go.
May we resolve to stand behind our church
leaders and see that it is taken care of promptly!
Brunswick First has always been faithful in the past. Can we do
anything less now?
APPORTIONMENTS
THE WORLD SERVICE FUND - 2008 Conference Budget $1,387,842 The World Service Fund is basic in the financial program of the
United Methodist Church. It enables members of every local church to share in thousands of worldwide ministries.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009 - $7,501.
CONFERENCE BENEVOLENCES - 2008 Conf. Budget $994,745 The Conference Benevolences is the basic financial program of the
South Georgia Conference. It funds the Office of Connectional Ministries; the Arthur J. Moore Museum; and the Board of Laity.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009 - $6,181.
CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT - 2008 Conf. Budget $1,067,967 Congregational Development Funds are used as “seed” money to
start new churches and new congregations of United Methodists. Currently there are 18 new and revitalized congregations throughout the conference.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009 - $6,181.
CLERGY SUPPORT - 2008 Conf. Budget $1,870,995 These funds support the work of the nine District Superintendents, their salaries, benefits, travel and related expenses; the operating budget of the Bishop’s office; the housing expense of our Bishop; salary and benefit support for pastors of churches not able to meet minimum salary standards; pastoral counseling services; comprehensive school for clergy leadership; the work of the Board of Ordained Ministry; and the Episcopal Fund that is our conference share of the cost of the expenses of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009 - $11,093.
PRE-1982 PENSION BENEFITS - 2008 Conf. Budget $1,409,500 These are retirement funds for those pastors who were under a
different pension plan prior to 1982 when the current plan was adopted by the Annual Conference.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009 - $8,267.
COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION PLAN - 2008 Conf. Budget $660,000 These funds underwrite a plan providing disability benefit, death
benefit, and educational benefit for children of clergy.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $3,919.
HEALTH-FLEX - CLERGY ON DISABILITY - 2008 Conf. Budget $124,800 These funds underwrite the cost of providing health insurance to pastors who are receiving disability benefits.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $876
HEALTH-FLEX - RETIRED CLERGY - 2008 Conf. Budget $1,108,000 The Annual Conference presently pays up to 95% of the total premium for retired clergy and 25% of the total premium of retired spouses based on years of service in the Conference and participation by the pastor in Health-Flex.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $5,517.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES - 2008 Conf. Budget $1,010,635 These funds cover the costs of the meetings of the Conference Finance
and Administration Committee and sub-committees; the cost of operating the Administrative Services Office; auditorium rental,
program expenses, bulletins, honoraria and accommodations for speakers and worship services during Annual Conference; conference secretary expense, printing of Conference Journal; expenses of the Conference Trustees that cover legal fees, insurance and maintenance on real estate properties owned by the Annual Conference; worker’s compensation insurance costs; the Leadership Forum for clergy; expenses for delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences; meetings of the Committee on Nominations; meetings of the Episcopal Committee; and legal fees.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $5,508.
STATE COOPERATIVE FUND - 2008 Conf. Budget $79,432 These funds support the Georgia Christian Council; the Georgia
Council on Moral and Civic Concerns; and the Wesleyan Christian
Advocate.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $433.
CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION - 2008 Conf. Budget $778,500 This fund provides support for the United Methodist Colleges and
Wesley Foundations in Georgia. The Georgia United Methodist Commission on Higher Education and Campus Ministry administers these funds.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $4,343.
SEJ MISSION AND MINISTRY - 2008 Conf. Budget $112,388 This fund pays the expenses of the Jurisdictional Conference that meets every 4 years; supports the ministries and programs of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Administrative Council; funds The
Protestant Hour; provides support for capital improvements, operations and programs at Lake Junaluska; the Campus Ministry at
Emory University; Course of study Schools of Candler School of Theology, Duke Divinity School; and Gulfside Assembly.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $623.
AFRICA UNIVERSITY FUND - 2008 Conf. Budget $39,663 This as a General Conference Apportionment. In 1988 it was voted to
establish and build a university in Africa. These funds will help continue the development of that university with additional buildings and faculty as the facility continues to grow.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $217.
BLACK COLLEGE FUND - 2008 Conf. Budget $179.607 This is a General Conference Apportionment. This fund supports the 11
predominately black colleges that belong to the United methodist Church. This is the largest group of black colleges related to any Protestant denomination.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $967.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION FUND - 2008 Conf. Budget $122,172 This is a General Conference Apportionment. The following general
agencies and items essential to the United Methodist Church are supported by this fund: General Conference; Judicial Council; General Commission on Archives and History; United Methodist Shrines; and the General Council on Finance and Administration.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $781.
GENERAL CHURCH EPISCOPAL FUND - 2008 Conf. Budget $362,949 This is a General Conference Apportionment. This fund provides for
the expenses of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church including their salaries and benefits for the operation of their offices and maintain their residences.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $1,904.
INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CO-OP FUND - 2008 Conf. Budget $35,625 This is a General Conference Apportionment. This fund provides
training for tomorrow’s ministers and helps today’s ministers fulfill their calling more efficiently. It is apportioned to the Annual Conference based on a fixed formula and distributed to our 13 Theological Seminaries to help meet current expenses and other financial needs.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $189.
MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUND - 2008 Conf. Budget $451,053 This is a General Conference Apportionment. This fund provides training for tomorrow's ministers and helps today's ministers fulfill their calling more efficiently. It is apportioned to the Annual Conference based on a fixed formula and distributed to our 13 Theological Seminaries to help meet current expenses and other financial needs.
Brunswick FUMC share in 2009: $2,425
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