USF Study Plan for Church Funding Modernization
Explore the motion to refer Memorial 361 to the General Board for updating the church funding model, emphasizing church planting, based on surveys and historical data. The USF Study Plan aims to clarify vision, simplify communication, and ensure equitable financial contributions for church growth.
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Presentation Transcript
Task from General Conference A motion was made to refer Memorial 361 to the General Board for further study for the purpose of updating and modernizing the funding plan for the administration of the church at the General and District levels, support of general educational institutions, ministerial training and other General Church ministries. This motion authorizes a study committee composed of individuals, appointed by the General Superintendent and approved by the General Board to study the financial funding model of the church, engage experts as needed, regularly report to the General Board, develop a pilot program, and report back to the 14th General Conference with a plan for its consideration. An amendment to the referral was made as follows: with special priority given to resourcing church planting. USF Study Plan Task
Surveys / What We Heard: Relief for local churches - Freeing up local funding (lowering the rates sent) Spend less and invest more - Invest into growth engines of church planting Clarify Vision - The direction & purpose of TWC funding should be clear. Simplify Communication - Wesleyans should be able to articulate where the dollars are going. Address the Capped Churches In proposal cap would have slight initial increase, then tied to inflation. USF Study Plan Surveys
1992 Churches (159) Developing 1709 Churches 1707 Full USF USF Study Plan (Initial Draft) Capped Churches (91) w / Exemptions (202) 2018 Churches (464) Developing Churches 1592 Churches 1299 Full USF 262 More Are Eligible USF Study Plan History
Most Previous Memorials: Memorials were not primarily designed as missional or to clarify vision but to improve funding for one group at expense of others. The USFT Strategy for Future: Seek Shared Investments to Achieve a Missional Model Avoid targeting and/or exempting a specific group build a comprehensive model where everyone had skin in the game. Communicate the dynamics that are affecting the funding model: Fewer churches contributing More churches entering capped status More churches eligible for exemptions Plan for Gen Con 2022: No church contributing more than 10% (recommendation) 10% of what is contributed invested to resource church planting Clarify Fund directives Simplify reporting improve understanding of funding. USF Study Plan (Initial Draft) Strategy
USF General 2.75% USF-EIF 3.25% Local Church 9.5% -12.5% District Retains 3.5 - 6.5% USF Study Plan Current
USF-EIF USF General 2.475% (was 2.75%) 2.775% (was 3.25%) Local Church 10% recommended (Was 9.5% -12.5%) Church Planting 1% (not previously funded) District 3.75% recommended USF Study Plan Proposed
Historical Rates USF USF General 1972-1996 : 3.0% 1996-2016 : 2.75% USF-EIF 1972-1976 : 1.7% 1976-1980 : 1.9% 1980-1988 : 2.0% 1988-1992 : 4.0% 1992-2000 : 3.5% 2000-2016 : 3.25% USF Study Plan (Initial Draft) District
Plan Components Stay local - not more than 10% should be sent outside Be missional - 10% for planting Simplify Tithe and offerings income Reporting / Exempting end of the tax form report Shared investment HQ, Schools, Districts Phased in by 2027 USF Study Plan Plan Core
How / why would the USF Plan affect districts in different ways? LOW ASSESSMENT RATE HIGH ASSESSMENT RATE LOW IMPACT HIGH IMPACT HIGH PLANTING INVESTMENT LOW PLANTING INVESTMENT District USF Study Plan
THE FOUR RESOLVES The rewrite of Discipline language District set aside CM funds ( included with the responsibilities for budget assessment / collection) CM plan submitted to GS for approval Approval of CM plans added to GS duties USF Study Plan Discipline
USF Study Committee Members David Drury - Co-Chair - Chief of Staff The Wesleyan Church Jerry Lumston - Co-Chair - District Superintendent - NC West District, TWC Kevin Batman - CFO/General Treasurer TWC Pete Benson - Owner, Beacon Capital Management Craig Dunn - Director - Wesleyan Investment Foundation Estherlita Griffiths - Director of IT - The Wesleyan Church Gayle Rietmulder - VP, Chief of Finance - Medical Teams International Scott Rhyno - Lead Pastor - Waterline Church - Fishers, IN Nancy Schoonmaker - Executive VP/CFO - Indiana Wesleyan University Mike Skor - Lead Pastor - New Hope Wesleyan Church -Wiliston, ND Wes Smith - District Superintendent, Northwest District, The Wesleyan Church Patrick Styers - District Superintendent, Florida District, The Wesleyan Church Pete Yoshonis - Lead Pastor, Spring Lake Weskeyan Church - Spring Lake, MI USF Team USF Study Plan
