Annual Conference FAQs: based on questions from pre-conference sessions
On April 25, members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference met at regional meetings to discuss items that will be presented at the 225th session of the conference June 4-6 in Baltimore.
Some questions arose at the meetings that are answered in the followed FAQ on the Constitutional Amendments, the report of the Task force on Appointment Policies, Compensation and Practices and the proposed 2010 budget.
Constitutional Amendments
Members will vote on 32 amendments of the Constitution of The United Methodist Church.
View a power point on the Amendments
What will we be voting on at the annual conference session?
The members of Annual Conference will vote on 32 proposed amendments to the Constitution. Each of these 32 amendments were approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the 2008 General Conference and must be ratified by two-thirds affirmative vote of the aggregate number of annual conference members this year in order to be included as changes in the Constitution.
Can we vote on part of an amendment if we do not like all of it?
We will be voting on each amendment as a whole. There will not be an opportunity to amend the amendments at Annual Conference. Our vote will either be "for" or "against" each amendment as a whole.
Will we be able to vote on individual amendments or do we have to vote on all of them at one time?
We will vote on each amendment individually.
What is a central conference? Why is the language related to regional conferences?
Central Conferences currently exist in parts of Asia, Africa and Europe and have served as the organizational structure addressing particular missional concerns of churches in those regions outside the United States. The proposed shift in the language from "central" to "regional" conferences is intended to speak more appropriately to the global nature of the church. The change allows for the creation of regional structures across the whole church, including in the United States, that would convene in addition to General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
Will the Regional Conferences use a different Discipline?
No, the regional conferences, like Annual, Jurisdictional, and General Conference use the same Book of Discipline. Sections, as appropriate, may be adapted to fit the missional context of respective regions.
How does the change in language from "central" to "regional" language affect our relationship with the World Methodist Council?
It does not appear that there would be any substantive change in the relationship of the United Methodist Church and the World Methodist Council as a result of the change in language.
Does "all persons" in paragraph 4 include clergy?
Paragraph 4 ensures that people will not be excluded from the life of the church. That paragraph as amended will do away with the list of groups of persons who will not be excluded to simply state that the church is in "ministry to all" and that "all persons" should be able to attend worship and participate fully in the life of the church. This proposed amendment does not change the current standards for ordination. Membership and ordination are two separate issues.
What does "professing member" mean?
Paragraph 215.2 of the Book of Discipline gives a definition of professing members as including all baptized people who have come into membership by profession of faith through appropriate services of the baptismal covenant or transfer from other churches.
What was the rationale for removing laypersons from the committee on investigation in the 2004 Discipline?
The rationale for removing lay persons from the committee on investigation was based on concerns among some about lay persons sharing in decisions as it regards ordination, character, conduct, and conference relations of clergy. The proposed amendment would allow lay persons to vote on such matters.
The Proposed 2010 Budget
Members at the pre-conference session also heard reports on the proposed $17.7 million budget.
See a pdf. of the proposed budget
See a PowerPoint of the budget presentation
Where can I find a detailed copy of the budget?
The detailed budget is available in the pre-con booklet (missing Baltimore detail), is found on the BWC Website in the electronic copy of the Pre-Con booklet in its entirety and will be printed in the Annual Conference program.
Why is the collection rate set at 90.25% for 2010 when we only achieved 87% in 2008?
In 2008 the benevolence factor was 22.5% and has been reduced to 19.5% for 2009 and 2010. Through this process the conference reduced apportionments by $1.9 million. It was felt that the 90.25% collection rate was achievable given the reduced apportionment asking. In 2006 when the benevolence factor was 24% the collection rate was 90.52%. Also, research of other conferences indicated that budgetary reductions led to higher collection rates.
Where is the cost of the new Conference Center in the operating budget?
The new conference center project will be funded with non-operating funds and, therefore, the costs of construction are not included in the operating budget. The conference currently pays rent to a landlord for the use of our Gateway Drive facilities. The rent is found in the operating budget line 10 on page 52 of the Pre-Con booklet. In the future, the amount found in the operating budget for rent will be used to pay the mortgage and will be continued to be carried in the operating budget.
What are the funding sources for Hope for the City and Shalom training? They don't appear to be in the 2010 budget?
The funding for Hope for the City is rolled up into the category "Grants - Unity & Ecumenical Concerns" and is also included in the category "Community and Church Development"
On page 50 lines 43, 44, 45 of the Pre-Con booklet funds for BOOM, Ministerial Education Fund and Board of Laity. How are these organizations told how to spend their funds?
Ministerial Education Funds are administered by BOOM. MEF funds are part of the Conference's apportionments paid to the General Board. The General Board allows us to retain a portion of MEF Funds for local use and the amount is determined by formula. The BOOM and Board of Laity budgets are developed by those organizations and therefore there is no need to "tell" them how to spend their budgets.
Why is it that churches don't pay social security taxes for clergy? Is that a conference policy?
IRS guidelines dictate the payment of taxes for clergy, not conference or denominational policy. Clergy are considered to be self-employed and must pay self-employment tax per IRS guidelines.
Why are the camping and youth budgets so much higher than the young adults budget?
The camping and youth budgets are, to a great extent, self funded through fee income - registration fees. The budget in the pre-con includes the expenses funded by registration fees. The Young Adults budget is currently funded exclusively through apportionments so, while it appears smaller, the apportioned dollars are proportional.
On Page 46 of the Pre-con booklet, lines 27 & 28. Can you provide some more detail of "Other Income/Sources of Funds and Interest"?
- Fees, grants and fund carry-overs from previous years: $90,000
- Available unused terminal reserve funds for use by the Conference Board of Pensions: $380,000
- Capital Investments available to fund Foundation Activities: $123,600
- Recapture of internal printing costs: $51,500
Who cares for our current Health benefits program? Who will be on the review committee for health care benefits and how can a deacon be on that review committee?
The Conference Board of Pensions cares for our health benefits. Frank Gould, president of the CBOP, will convene a group in the 2011 - 2012 timeframe to review our health care insurer and is the one to be contacted regarding service on that committee.
Does the conference support mission personnel? Why is there a - 0- on line 9, page 50 of the Precon Booklet?
Funding for this item is rolled into line 8.
Why was there a dramatic increase in the HR/Episcopal Budget?
In past budgets the Episcopal budget did not include the HR component. HR was found in other areas of the budget. Therefore, the apparent increase was actually not an increase, but was a re-allocation of dollars that were previously located in a different area of the budget.
Why does it seem like the regional budgets are not going up and down together? Why are they different?
The differences reflect personnel differences from year to year. For instance, this year a Guide in the Washington Region has been deployed to Iraq. However, he will return future years.
Please explain the following:
Page 48, line 23
Contract Guide services to replace the cost of a full-time Guide
Page 49, line 25
Numbers didn't line up. Was a formating issue. 2009 = $2,000 and 2010 = $2,060
Page 51, line 12
We anticipate a slight cost of living increase in the Sessions budget from 2009 to 2010.
Page 53, line 27
Bank fees are incurred to pay for our lockbox and other cash management services. Banking is being bid out this year.
Page 49, lines 41, 42, 48
Line 48 is predominantly staff expense including salary, benefits, travel for the Social Justice Administrator. Line 41 and 42 are expenses related to the advocacy activities, for example the costs of running a campaign against the legalization of slots.
Is the Benevolence factor the same for all churches regardless of size?
Yes, the factor is the same, however, since apportionments are based upon a church's expense budget, smaller churches will typically pay less in. While they pay less in dollar amounts, hte percentage system assures that each chruch pays its "fair share."
Are their funds that are restricted from internal borrowing?
Yes, funds put aside to fund the future retire liability are designated for that purpose and we don't borrow them internally. Unused Terminal reserve funds that had their origins in operating budgets are available to be utilized internally.
Have you considered asking the membership to help pay for the new Conference Center?
There are no plans currently in place to run a capital campaign. However, we would not discourage donors interested in supporting the building program from coming forward.
Did the conference lose money in the stock market this past year?
Some funds controlled by the various and sundry boards and agencies in the conference have incurred unrealized loses in the value of the investments they had in the stock market. The conference operating funds are mostly retained as cash in the bank. The conference did incur some unrealized losses in the minority of investments it has in the marketplace and expects to recover the paper losses as the market recovers.
Report from the Task Force on Apportionment Policies, Compensation Expectations and Practices
A Cabinet task force is bringing recommendations to update current conference policies. The goal of these policies is to ensure clarity around the building and sustaining of healthy congregations.
View a PowerPoint of the task force's report
Please note that there are several amendments or corrections noted in Section 1. The task force will consider these recommendations and update the conference when the recommendation is presented.
SECTION 1 - Appointments and Compensation
1. The language of Paragraph 4309.4 ("pastoral support does not exceed 50% of total church expenditures) is not consistent with the comparable point in the other paragraphs related to full-time appointment. Is that intentional, and if not, shouldn't all of the items be the same?
Yes, they should be the same. For the purpose of clarity, all of the comparable items should read: Pastoral and professional staff support (salary and benefits) does not exceed 50% of the total church (charge) expenditures. Please note that the word "support" includes budgeted benefits amounts, not just salary and housing. This wording should be substituted for 4309.4 (page 62, line 4); 4310.4 (page 62, line 27); 4311.4 (page 62, line 50); and item 4 in the Criteria for Appointment of a Deacon (page 65, line 11). Note that total expenditures refers to all budgeted expenditures for program and operations.
2. In Paragraphs 4309, 4310, 4311, and the paragraph related to deacons' compensation, item #6 is not consistently worded. Should they be the same?
Yes, they should be the same. Paragraphs 4309.6 (page 62, line 7); 4310.6 (page 62, line 31); 4311.6 (page 62, line 53); and item 6 in the Criteria for Appointment of a Deacon (page 65, line 15). They should read: A Mission program which provides at least one form of outreach to the local community, either as a congregation, or in cooperation with nearby United Methodist churches, or through some ecumenical network.
3. Will churches be forced to part-time status if it cannot sustain budget at the 75% level from tithes and offerings (page 62, line 12 and all comparable items)?
All of these criteria are meant to be indicators of health and vitality as well as benchmarks for when churches need to consider alternatives to the present circumstances. The benchmarks are meant to be taken together, so if a church misses one of them, and there is an indication that the church is healthy, it would not by itself indicate a status change is necessary.
4. What if we don't meet the five-year financial plan? (page 62, beginning at line 12 and all comparable items)
The plan should be evaluated frequently, at least annually. If the church is on track, that is fine. However, most financial plans are ever-evolving, and there is often a need to revise and update the plan. The congregation should not see the plan as static but as dynamic. The important thing is for congregations to see that a financial crisis should not "creep up" on them. A solid 5-year plan that is frequently evaluated can serve a congregation well as they examine their stewardship and funding needs. Guidelines or help for developing these plans will be forthcoming and posted with all compensation and appointment policy materials on the Web site. Churches may also consult with their Guides on this process.
5. Does the conference have a five-year plan?
Yes. It is reviewed regularly and revised as necessary. As an example, part of the 5-year plan was to reduce the benevolence factor to 19.5% by 2012. When the economy began to tumble, the Council on Finance and Administration reviewed the plan and decided to reduce to that level 3 years early.
6. How do the minimums affect charges?
The minimums are related to the pastor's compensation. If a pastor's time is shared, each church on the charge is responsible for its own portion of the total.
7. What about churches who right now do not meet the standards for full-time appointment?
Churches will be expected to meet the appropriate standards when there is a normal pastoral transition. However, it is important to note that if a church is not paying its apportionments or falls behind in paying its obligations for pension or medical benefits, those situations will require a change in compensation so that the church's arrearages will not affect the life of other congregations in the conference.
8. Can deacons work for no compensation?
Simply put, yes. The 2008 Book of Discipline (BOD) continues to allow deacons to choose work without compensation - see BOD¶331.6(d).
9. Does the chart of compensation on page 66 mean that pastors are expected to work 49 to 51 hours a week?
Yes. In most fields, high-level professionals (managers and executive staff, for example) work these kinds of hours and far more. These hours are intended to give both pastors and SPRC's a guideline instead of having an expectation that someone who is paid for half-time winds up working 40 or 50 hours a week. At the same time, we hope that both pastors and SPRC's will recognize that pastoral work carries a good bit of stress and that the high levels of interpersonal work require that the pastor be at his or her best at all times. In order to be at their best, pastors need to observe times of rest and spiritual development. Our hope is that by establishing a guideline, it will help folks to discern what is best in their situation - and that churches will be well-served by pastors who are healthy and whole.
THE NEXT TWO ITEMS RELATE TO THE CHART ON PAGE 66 of the Pre-Conference Booklet
10. How many of our churches have average attendance of 125 or over and what criteria were used to arrive at the attendance minimums?
There are 179 churches with attendance averaging 125 or more out of 680 churches. Simply put, there have been churches in recent times that have found it difficult to sustain a full-time compensation package and all of the other obligations of a full-time appointment with 100 in attendance - which is the number required for a church to be chartered. As you can see in the compensation chart, a full-time appointment requires at minimum a commitment of almost $75,000, simply to provide pastoral compensation. (Please note that there are two errors in the 2009 example chart. 1) The pension amount should be $9,142. 2) The footnote numbers should be 8 and 9.
11. Please explain the "Schedule for FULL-TIME Clergy Support EXAMPLE, page 66, lines 43-48.
These lines are simply the total full-time support package for a pastor, divided by the appropriate percentage of time worked.
AMENDMENTS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE RECOMMENDATION
12. The Order of Deacons has suggested the following amendments to the Criteria for the Appointment of a Deacon on page 65.
- Points 1-7 should be struck and replaced with "A deacon may have a
primary appointment in a local church that meets the church health
guidelines outlined in Paragraph 4310 (On additional full-time
appointments) or as part of a plan to restore a local church to health. - At the end of point 9, at the end of the sentence, add the words "of
comparable years of service" so it should read "At no time shall a
full-time Deacon's total compensation be set at less than 65% of the
total minimum compensation (salary plus housing using only) for an Elder
of comparable years of service."
13. CORRECTIONS to Chart on page 66 - The chart at the top of the page is correct. With our apologies, we realized that the amount listed on line 35 for pension is incorrect. The correct number should be $9.142. Secondly, the footnote reference on line 28 of that page should be footnotes 8 and 9 (not 6 and 9).
SECTION 2 - Criteria and Decision Tree for Churches in Decline
1. What is meant by "church refuses merger" so church has agreed by default to closure? How can the church agree if it refuses? (language from the chart on page 68 at the bottom).
Please refer to the narrative language on page 64, beginning at line 38 for clarity. The chart on page 68 is intended as a visual, accessible version of the narrative criteria. The intent of this point is that if a BOD paragraph 213 assessment results in a recommendation to merge and the church refuses to merge with another congregation, the church understands that it will then have two options...it can vote for closure itself and thus play a part in its decision, or that the annual conference will act to close the church. When a Book of Discipline paragraph 213 committee makes a recommendation for a church to merge with another church, the church is still required to vote on the merger. In some of those situations in the recent past, the church has decided not to merge, despite the 213 task force's recommendation. In those cases, the recommendation of the 213 committee is sent to the annual conference. This recommendation is meant to provide a shared understanding for the annual conference because these decisions are often difficult and sometimes misunderstood. For further clarity, the chart will be amended as well. The box titled "Church Refuses Merger" will read: Chruch by default moves to closure..."
2. What does "church" mean in relation to who decides about merger or closure?
The Book of Discipline requires a charge conference vote on these matters. Refer to paragraph 2545.
3. How many churches have closed in the last 3 years and will a 3-year history be enough to judge the viability of a congregation?
In the last 3 years, 4 churches were discontinued (see BOD ¶2548) and 23 churches were involved in 11 mergers. As in the criteria for appointment, all of the criteria must be weighed along with the rest. It is the hope of Annual Conference leadership that each local church be involved in ongoing assessments of the church's ministry in order to plan for continued vitality, so that conversations about closing are not necessary.
New Conference Center
Is there any update on the new conference center in Maple Lawn, which the conference approved at the special session in January?
Yes. Since January, a building task force has been hard at work on this project. Turner Construction was hired to be the builder of the new 30,000 square-foot facility. This is the company that recently built the new dining hall at the conference's West River United Methodist Center near Annapolis. Design Collective is the architect on the project. It has designed many of the buildings in Maple Lawn.
Construction is expected to begin in September and, if all goes according to plan, the conference staff hopes to occupy the building in mid-2010.
