GCFA

An offering plate is passed down the pew at Cathedral of the Rockies, a United Methodist church in Boise, Idaho. The General Council on Finance and Administration board surveyed U.S. conference treasurers to find out what impact potential church disaffiliations and church closures will have on the apportionment formula over the next four years. 2018 file photo by Mary Kienzle, United Methodist Communications.

Estimating financial impact of church exits

United Methodist financial leaders voted on agencies’ 2021 budgets at the same time they looked at the costs of a potential church split and a proposal to reduce bishops.

General Church

United Methodist Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey presides over an online meeting of the denomination’s Council of Bishops. Amid financial pressure and a potential denominational split, the council called for postponing elections of new U.S. bishops and urged that five new African bishops be added only as resources allow. UM News screenshot via Zoom.

Council urges no new US bishops for 4 years

Under financial strain, United Methodist bishops recommend postponement of U.S. episcopal elections and slowdown on adding new bishops in Africa.

General Church

Bishops process into worship on Feb. 24, 2019, at the special General Conference of The United Methodist Church, held in St. Louis. Bishops and other church leaders are looking at options to prevent bishops’ funding from going into the red. File photo by Paul Jeffrey for UM News.

What goes into funding the bishops?

United Methodist leaders are looking to shore up bishops’ funding, which is in danger of going into the red in the next four years.

Local Church

As a Nov. 16 deadline approaches, churches are being urged to file a legal document to shield them from any potential liability stemming from a class action lawsuit against Boy Scouts of America over past sexual abuse claims. The United Methodist Church charters more Scout organizations than any other denomination in the U.S. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Churches urged to file legal document in Boy Scouts lawsuit

A Nov. 16 deadline approaches for churches to file paperwork intended to shield them from any potential liability stemming from a class action lawsuit against Boy Scouts of America over past sexual abuse claims.

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