A Budget Message from Conference Council on Finance & Administration:
Hope in the Seasons of Change: God’s Grace and Steadfast Love Abound!
To: East Ohio Pastors, Congregations, and Faith Communities,
Seasons of change are all around us as we journey in 2023. Change is happening and we find ourselves both excited and apprehensive about what tomorrow holds. And yet, in the seasons of change are moments of transformation, rebirth and renewal. We marvel at the faithfulness of a loving God who guides us always, amidst both prosperity and challenges.
Changing seasons bring both excitement and apprehension. Being United Methodist allows our local churches to touch lives both within our local communities and across the world. Friends, though the journey may seem difficult and uncertain, we see so much for which to be thankful. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!
We give thanks for the gift of 665 local churches serving the mission fields across the East Ohio Conference in 2022. A total of 436 local churches paid 100% apportionments which included 11 churches that disaffiliated in June 2022. Of our current United Methodist Churches in East Ohio, 425 paid 100% of apportionments in 2022. The percentage of churches that paid 100% or more was 64%. We also give thanks for the 140 local church congregations that increased their giving to apportionment in 2022.
The seasons of change continue to challenge us as we assess the reality of some churches having not made any apportionment payments in 2022 and others that paid a smaller percentage of their apportionment payments than they did in 2021. As the seasons of change cause local churches and pastors to ask the hard questions, we give thanks that the desire to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world continues to echo forth from our East Ohio Conference. We know with absolute certainty that God’s grace and steadfast love abound!
The pay-in rate from local churches to our East Ohio Conference budget was 78.4% in 2022 compared to 79% in 2021. The $8 million contributed towards the mission and ministry of East Ohio in 2022 was 6.5% less than in 2021. Every dollar contributed is a gift enabling the good news of Jesus Christ to be shared. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!
The 2022 Conference budget was reduced by 5.3% so that local churches would have more available funds for their respective mission fields. Our Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CCF&A) continues to monitor trends and examine budgetary needs as we begin this quadrennium. The postponement of General Conference until 2024 continues the challenges of navigating the financial implications of denominational changes that may come our way. We realize the coming years will bring both challenges and opportunities for the Conference to maintain the mission of making disciples amidst uncertainties of what the future holds.
Yes, change is inevitable, but in the seasons of change we find opportunity for transformation. We will continue to strive for transformation as we review financial trends, monitor our giving patterns, and adjust our Conference budget as necessary in the coming years. But we rest assured that God’s grace and steadfast love abound!
For the 18th year, our East Ohio Conference paid 100% of our General Church apportionments. The General Church funds support global efforts of the Church through seven general funds: World Service, Ministerial Education, Episcopal, Black College, Interdenominational Cooperation, Africa University, and the General Administration Fund. As United Methodists we believe and support the saying, “the world is our parish”. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!
The faithfulness of our local churches continues to be the focal point of transformative ministry. As we journey together in 2023, we pray that you will be encouraged by the continued movement of God’s Spirit guiding us in the uncertainties, decisions, and mission opportunities enabling all of us to share God’s love and witness to a world hungering for justice, peace, and compassion. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!
Be encouraged always,
Rev. Dan Bryant, Chairperson, CCF&A
Vera Rebrovich, CPA, Executive Director, Financial & Administrative Services
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