The Financial Administration legislative committee considers actions to be taken by the plenary. Photo by Paul Jeffrey/UM News.

The General Conference overwhelmingly passed a budget May 3 that is more than 40% lower than the 2016-2020 budget.

Debated in committee and twice on the floor of General Conference, by the time the final vote was cast on May 3, many were calling the work a strong example of holy conferencing.

The final budget builds in two scenarios based on the financial health of the church (as evidenced through apportionment payments). 

We will begin the quadrennium with a four-year budget of $353.6 million. In two years, if the apportionment collection rate is 90% or higher, the budget will increase to $373.4 million.

"The denominational budget passed by the General Conference will provide significant relief to our annual conference budget," explained North Georgia Conference Treasurer and CFO Allison Berg. "I am so appreciative of the way the delegates carefully considered how to balance and leverage the best of our worldwide missional impact with our local church resources for ministries and mission."

Berg, along with many other Annual Conference treasurers, was in Charlotte and able to sit in on the Financial Administration legislation committee as well as the General Conference plenary sessions.

"I witnessed the best of our connection at work. I am grateful for the talents and heartfelt commitment of delegates, GCFA, general church agencies, and conference treasurers to work to sustain and strengthen our capacity for both our worldwide connection and our local churches to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world," she said.

The share of the Conference budget going to denominational apportionments has been reduced from 35% to 30%. 
 
"The treasurer's office anticipates an overall reduction for our annual conference apportionment budget of $1.5 million dollars beginning in 2025 as a result of this General Conference action. The 2025 proposed apportionment budget presented at Annual Conference will reflect this reduction."

The total budget comprises seven different funds: the World Service Fund, Ministerial Education Fund, Black College Fund, Africa University Fund, Episcopal Fund, General Administration Fund, and Interdenominational Cooperation Fund.

“We are committed,” General Secretary Moses Kumar said. “We will trust in God that our members will support the church with their prayers, presence, gifts, and witness.”

The final approved budget names the mission strategy of the church for the next quadrennium. The five areas of focus are:
1. Leading Where God Calls
2. Making New Disciples in New Places
3. Overcoming Poverty Together
4. Seeking Health and Wholeness for All
5. The Eradication of Racism, White Supremacy, Patriarchy, and Colonialism