By Barbara Dunlap-Berg*
May 19, 2009 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)

“In hard economic times,” asserted Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer, “the ministry of local congregations and of United Methodists connectedly is needed even more, not less.” Expressing thanks for faithful support of apportioned funds in 2008, he praised the Illinois Great Rivers Conference for its “clarity of vision, mission focus, sense of connection and regular giving across the years. You have chosen to make sure that the ministry of the church remains strong and available to all.”

Along with Illinois Great Rivers, 16 other conference led the denomination in paying 100 percent of their apportionments in 2008. They included Alaska Missionary, Baltimore-Washington, Central Pennsylvania, Central Texas, East Ohio, Eastern Pennsylvania, Greater New Jersey, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma Indian Missionary, Peninsula-Delaware, Red Bird Missionary, Rio Grande, West Michigan and Wisconsin annual conferences.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, noted Bishop Peggy A. Johnson, had “the services of the Rev. Vance Ross from the General Board of Discipleship. He worked with our high-potential churches and pastors and coached them for improved discipleship and ministry. The Peninsula-Delaware Conference benefited from having Patricia Magyar from the General Board of Global Ministries, who met with leaders involved with health ministries, disability outreach and HIV/AIDS. The general agencies’ resourcing would not be possible without our connectional giving.” 

 Bishop John Michael Lowry said, “Through a combination of general church and conference apportionment resources, the Central Texas Conference reaches out to first-generation Hispanic/Latinos in Fort Worth.” With the guidance of Hispanic/Latino ministries coordinator Sam Rodriguez, the conference developed El Buen Samaritano, a new church of 80 to 100 worshipers.

“The economic resources provided through apportionments,” he added, “are one critical avenue to reach out to our bruised and battered world. Now more than ever, we need to partner in offering the love of Christ to all.”

To encourage giving, Raleigh Area Bishop Alfred Wesley Gwinn Jr. urges district superintendents and pastors to tell “givers all that is being accomplished as a result of their gifts. As a rule of thumb, never receive an offering without reporting what the offering is accomplishing.” He strives to teach “techniques on how to cast a vision for stronger congregations to give more than their fair share to help weaker congregations so everyone can celebrate the goal of 100-percent participation.”

San Antonio Area Bishop James E. “Jim” Dorff commented, “The congregations of our conference are aware and responsive to the needs of the greater church. In our families, our churches and our conference, we will look for ways to keep expenses down in 2009. Even so, God will continue to be generous with us, and we will be generous with others.”

He continued, “Congregations understand their apportionment dollars go to work immediately to facilitate the mission of The United Methodist Church. These dollars are a great investment in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Challenging times require unwavering resolve. I’m grateful God’s commitment to us is eternally unwavering and we move together into God’s future.”

*Dunlap-Berg is the marketing associate with United Methodist Communications.