The following thoughts come to us from umcgiving.org a resource available to every United Methodist, and a helpful resource for every congregation seeking to interpret our unique way of sharing from God’s abundance in ways which transform the world. Feel free to use this as a bulletin insert or as a spoken introduction to the Sunday morning offering.
Generously Speaking 8.0
What is connectional giving? It’s as simple as people coming together, combining their money to accomplish something bigger than themselves. United Methodists support apportioned and designated funds through their connectional gifts.
The General Conference establishes budgets for the denomination’s general funds. These are divided among annual conferences, based on a specific formula. Each annual conference, using its own approved formula, divides these fund requests, along with conference administrative and benevolence fund requests, among local churches. In addition, individuals, local churches, districts and annual conferences may make monetary gifts to the designated funds, of which 100 percent goes directly to a specific project or ministry. Together, apportioned and designated funds represent our connectional giving.
By combining several smaller gifts into a larger amount, we can effect change across the world. Individual churches can minister to a small area; however, as a connectional church, we can do big things, all in the name of Jesus Christ.
from www.umcgiving.org
