Giving

View of the offering basket at First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas, in 2020. Overall collection rates for general church ministries were higher than feared, but COVID-19 still presents a great deal of uncertainty for church financial leaders. File photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

Church sees surge in giving at year's end

While United Methodist collections overcame the worst of the pandemic’s projections, the denomination still faces financial strains.

Local Church

Taurai Mhishi hasn’t let his disability keep him from serving The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, where he has worked to clear church grounds for a parking lot at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Harare, Zimbabwe. His servanthood during the pandemic has inspired others to lend a hand. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, UM News.

Shining a light on servanthood during pandemic

With money tight due to the country’s economic turmoil and COVID-19, Zimbabwe United Methodists lend their time and talents to the church.

General Church

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

More than seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial outlook for conferences is decidedly mixed. But even with reduced giving, conference treasurers are saying the situation is not as dire as it appeared in the spring. Photo by Kathryn Price, United Methodist Communications; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Conferences persevere under financial strain

United Methodist conferences are offering churches relief and finding ways to still minister amid pandemic-caused hardships.

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