We Share for the Good of the Whole Mission
Bishop Dan Schwerin underscores the importance of shared mission and mutual sacrifice within the United Methodist connection, especially during challenging appointment seasons. He add…
Posted: April 23 2025 at 10:39 AM
Author: Kim Emery, Chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration is recommending to Annual Conference this year a new apportionment formula.
CCFA created a task force almost a year ago to develop a new formula. This past January, CCFA approved the task force’s recommendation. The Annual Conference Shepherding Team and the Cabinet affirmed their support for this formula in March.
The recommended apportionment formula for the total apportionment (conference and General Church):
- Churches whose income is under $250,000 will be apportioned 8 percent of their income.
- Churches whose income is between $250,000 and $750,000 will be apportioned 10 percent of their income.
- Churches whose income is $750,001 or greater will be apportioned 12 percent of their income.
Income shall be defined by the amount provided in the church’s statistical report. It shall be computed by subtracting the amount on line 53 from that on line 55 (total income minus capital improvement funds). The most recent income information available shall be used.
Churches may not appeal the apportioned amount. Previous appeal and adjustment limitations will no longer be in effect.
The recommended apportionment formula is:
- Simple: a church’s income from the statistical report determines the amount.
- Timely: it uses the income information from the previous year to calculate the formula.
We recognize that every church, small and large, has bills to pay. Smaller churches, many of which are in more impoverished communities than larger churches, have fewer resources and opportunities. The task force used Luke 12:48 as their guiding principle: to whom much is given, much will be required.
The recommended process strives for equality in the formula. Whenever a church’s apportionment was reduced on appeal, its future increases were limited to 9 percent per year irrespective of its financial capacity. This perpetual limitation has caused churches to fall further and further short of the amount they would otherwise be apportioned. The 9 percent increase limit has caused equity issues among churches.
The table below summarizes how the recommended apportionment formula will impact churches.
|
|
Less Than $250,000 |
$250,000- $750,000 |
More Than $750,000 |
Total* |
|
Total Number of Churches |
195 |
60 |
19 |
274 |
|
Churches with Appeals |
31 |
25 |
12 |
68 |
|
Churches whose Apportionment will Decrease |
144 |
28 |
5 |
177 |
|
Churches with No Change |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Churches whose Apportionment will Increase |
50 |
32 |
14 |
96 |
* Twenty churches did not provide statistical reports.
More detailed information is in the legislation, which will be available after May 9, 2025 to view on the AC25 Legislation page.