This report summarizes church finances and giving for 2012. It shows that on average, 90% of church expense dollars stay in the local church, with 10% going to conference and district ministry. Generous giving to the connection has increased over time. The report also outlines how ministry shares dollars are used, with the largest portions going to superintendency and ministerial support, as well as conference programs. The budget process is described, emphasizing operating within anticipated income. Tithing by all members could significantly increase funding for local churches and annual conference ministries.

1. Council on Finance and
Administration
Initial Report
2012
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2. Thank you, West Michigan!
Your prayers and financial gifts
truly make a difference to support
our shared mission and ministries
in making disciples of Jesus Christ
and transforming the world.
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3. Where our Church Expense Dollars Go…
Total for all churches Table II $73,931,500
(On average 90% stays in the local church)
17%
9%
8%
18%
1%
9% 3%
21%
4%
Clergy Compensation & Expenses 21% $15,424,600
Clergy Pension & HC Benefits 9% $6,621,900
Other Staff Comp & Benefits 18% $13,404,500
Operating Expenses 17% $12,561,700
Debt Service 9% $6,774,800
Building & Equipment Improvements 8% $5,778,800
Giving directly to Non-UMC causes 1% $530,800
Giving directly to UMC causes 3% $1,931,900 3
Church programs 4% $3,178,500

4. Where Church Expense Dollars go…
(On average 10% of Church expenses go to
Conference and District Ministry Shares)
1%
2%
2%
5%
Conference Six Lanes/Advance Specials 2% $1,487,100
Conference Programs & Ministries 5% $4,019,700
General Church Apportionment 2% $1,722,500
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District Ministry Shares 1% $494,700

5. History of generous giving to the
connection (Dollars in Thousands)
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
-
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Ministry Shares District Funds Designated Gifts
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6. Ministry Shares % Receipts
98.0%
96.0%
94.0%
92.0%
90.0%
88.0%
86.0%
84.0%
82.0%
80.0%
78.0%
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
% Received
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7. Churches giving to Conference and Districts
Ministry Shares $6,235,900
62paid50% or
less 273 churches gave 100%
or more
42 churches gave 70% or
28paid 50% more but less than 100%
42paid 70%+
28 churches gave 50% or
more but less than 70%
273 paid
100%+ 62 churches gave less
than 50%
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8. Number of Churches Giving 100%
310
300
290
280
270
260
250
240
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Number of Churches
8

9. Number of Churches Supporting
10 % of the Budget & % Paid
10 110 35%
9 89 77%
8 59 82%
7 38 75%
6 35 93%
5 24 91%
4 20 99%
3 14 95%
2 10 100%
1 6 100.2%
0 50 100 150 9
Number of Churches Giving approx. $6,236,000

10. % Paid by Church Membership Size
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
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11. % Ministry Shares Paid
by Membership Size
Membership Number of Churches % Paid
Size
Over 800 5 100.1%
601 to 800 5 89.4%
401 to 600 25 89.3%
251 to 400 34 85.1%
151 to 250 63 77.8%
101 to 150 59 78.8%
51 to 100 99 84.6%
Below 50 115 82.2%
Total 406
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12. Where Ministry Shares Dollars Go
26% 26%
13%
30% 5%
Superintendency & Ministerial Support 26% $1,542,800
Conference and Area Administration 13% $753,300
New Church Development 5% $277,000
World Svc & General Church 30% $1,735,800
Conference Program Ministries 26% $1,498,100
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13. Where Ministry Shares dollars go…
Superintendency & Clergy support 26%
3% 1% 1%
3%
11%
7%
District Superintendent Expenses 11% $683,200
District Offices and Staff Support 7% $416,700
Equitable Compensation Support 3% $184,100
Pastors' Moving Expenses 3% 158,400
Health Care Support 1% $46,100
Board of Ordained Miinstry & Other Funds 1% $54,300
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14. Where Ministry Shares dollars go…
Conference & Area Administration 13%
2% 1%
3%
3%
4%
Area Administration 3% $157,200
Treasurer's Office 4% $253,500
Conference Properties-Board of Trustees 3% $178,200
Annual Conference Session 2% $92,100
Other Administrative Agencies 1% $86,000
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15. Where Ministry Shares dollars go…
Conference Connectional Ministries 26%
2% 1%
5% 10%
5% 3%
Program Ministry Staff Office 10% $572,100
Board of Christian Camping 3% $155,200
Board of Global Ministries 5% $311,700
Board of Higher Ed 5% $308,800
Racial Ethnic Local Churches 2% $88,900
Communications & Other Program Agencies 1% $61,400
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16. Our Mission
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for
the transformation of the world.
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17. Budget Process
 Budget expenditures within anticipated
income.
 CFA determines anticipated income.
 Agencies provide CFA their budget
request.
 CFA responds to budget requests in
collaboration with Conf Leadership Team.
 Budget hearings as needed.
 CFA adjusts budget based on Table III
Reports.
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18. Be encouraged by God‟s promises…
“Bring your full tithe in and see if I don‟t open
up heaven itself to you and pour our
blessings beyond your wildest dreams.”
(Malachi 3:10)
“You will be made rich in every way so that
you can be generous on every occasion
and through us your generosity will result
in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor. 9:11)
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19. A Disciple…
 Gives generously
 Lives out the spiritual discipline of tithing
 Is a cheerful giver
 Makes a difference in a hurting world by
sharing God‟s gifts through our
connectional system
 Together we can do much more than any
one person or congregation.
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20. God‟s abundance through us.
„Visioning‟ a tithe…
Example: When all members tithe.
Total household givers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,000
Median Household Income , MI . . . . . . . . . .$40,000
Local Churches‟ Income
If all households tithe . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . $132,000,000
Annual Conference Income
10% for Ministry Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,200,000
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21. Thank you, conference!
Your gifts truly make a difference in
making possible our shared mission and
ministries in Michigan and around the
world in making disciples of Jesus
Christ for the transformation of the
world!
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