The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency has set a target that would significantly reduce general church funding, starting in 2021.
The General Council on Finance and Administration board on Aug. 17 unanimously approved changes in the formula used in calculating U.S. apportionments — the requested giving from U.S. annual conferences.
Those apportionments provide financial support for most of the general agencies, ministerial education, bishops and denomination-wide efforts, such as Africa University, the Black College Fund and ecumenical work.
Based on current estimates, the new formula would result in a proposed general church budget of $498.65 million for the years 2021-2024. That’s about $105 million less than the current four-year budget approved by the 2016 General Conference. (continue reading)