3

 

WHY WE APPORTION

Our founder, John Wesley was committed to seeing each human being realize his/her potential.  As a pastor he cared about the spiritual, the physical and intellectual aspects of each person.  So while he    was passionate about “spreading spiritual holiness in the land”, he was aware of the circumstances in which people lived and was equally passionate about leading his disciples to plan their work in making sure that those circumstances were as positive and hospitable as possible.

 

Methodism was born, therefore, in mission.  Our founder modeled Christ’s pattern of reaching out to  others.  “To relieve the helpless—the powerless poor— he collected clothes, distributed food, and      provided housing.  To improve the lives of children, he established schools all across England.  For   the sick, he opened free medical clinics in his preaching houses”. (Who We Are, Where We Are and How We Serve:  A United Methodist Handbook: 2005—2008 ,page 20).

John Wesley saw all of us as stewards—disciples entrusted by God with the care of  significant resources on this earth.  He encouraged the people called Methodist to live simple lives with this admonition:  “Earn all you can.  Save all you can. Give all you can” (Who We Are, Where We Are and How We Serve , p.20).

Today, we provide financial resources to continue the rich Methodist heritage of mission and outreach through our contribution of apportionments.  This is an equitable method of giving based upon each   congregation’s ability to give.

 

In the pages that follow we will provide information about the importance of apportionments in the life of the New York Annual Conference, the history of  apportionment payments in the Metropolitan District and the current responsibility of the district as we play our role in mission and ministry here and beyond.