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By Erik Alsgaard
UMCONNECTION STAFF

Click here for a graphic representation of 2005 apportionment giving.

United Methodists from the Baltimore-Washington Conference contributed a record $15.2 million dollars for apportionments in 2005 to support mission and ministry, an increase of more than $700,000 from 2004. That?s the good news.

The not-so-good news: this represents a decrease in the percentage of apportionments contributed by the 693 churches throughout the conference. In 2004, United Methodists gave at a 90.6 percent remuneration on apportionments; in 2005, that figure dropped to 89.7 percent. This continues a three-year trend in the Baltimore- Washington Conference.

These figures were presented to the Baltimore-Washington Conference?s Council on Finance and Administration, which met Jan. 18. CFA is charged to supervise the church?s financial and administration functions that enable mission and ministry to happen.

'I am grateful for the continued faithfulness and support of United Methodists around the Baltimore-Washington Conference,' said Bishop John R. Schol, episcopal leader of the conference. 'These funds are making a difference in the lives of people around the world and they are helping us to expand our vision to become like Christ as we make and engage disciples in the Adventure.'

'We will see a reverse in this trend as the conference leads and congregations engage deeper in the Discipleship Adventure. Reversals are already beginning to occur.' We are also committed to help more of the church offerings to remain at the local church level for ministry and mission by reducing the benevolence factor. This can only happen though as congregations pay their full apportionment payment.'

In reports given by Martha Knight, Director of Finance and Administra-tion, and Pier McPayten, conference treasurer, members of CFA learned that from 2005 to 2006, there has been a nearly 15 percent reduction in conference staff. There is now the equivalent of 40 full time staff at the conference center.

In addition, the conference?s benevolence factor ? an indicator of the percentage of a church?s spending on apportionments ? decreased in 2006 and is slated to drop again in the 2007 budget.

'Our focus is on providing resources for the local church because that?s where disciples are made,' said Knight. 'The money churches send to the conference center and the general church really does help in that ministry, but we are consciously seeking to keep more and more of those dollars at the local church level.'

One aspect of spending the conference has wrestled with for many years, along with many other associations and businesses, is health care. In 2005, the conference spent $4.9 million for health insurance. That money came from local churches and members of the conference?s insurance plan. For 2006, the conference switched to a new health insurance provider, HealthFlex, in a further attempt to be better stewards.

Special appeals don't impact connectional giving

'Giving to the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina relief does not seem to have affected apportionment giving,' said the Rev. Rod Miller, Director of Connection Ministries, during the Jan. 18 CFA meeting.

Martha Knight, Director of Finance and Administration, said that in 2005, more than $2.6 million was contributed to these relief efforts and other special appeals.

'There is room to grow in discipleship, part of which is practicing good stewardship,' said Miller. 'The giving level to our apportionments along with the special appeals shows that the Baltimore-Washington Conference responds to people?s needs in many ways. Taken all together, this is a very positive sign ? a fruit of being on the Discipleship Adventure.'