THE NEXT FOUR YEARS The Book of Discipline and Other Fun Subjects
Oh goody!
THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
Book of Discipline • The following are some interesting nuggets from the 600 paragraphs of the BOD. • Please make sure to buy and memorize the 2012 BOD in its entirety. This is required of all annual conference staff (¶2720)
¶602 – AC Lay Members 602.4. The lay membership of the annual conference shall consist of… …If the lay membership should number less than the clergy members of the annual conference, the annual conference shall, by its own formula, provide for the election of additional lay members to equalize lay and clergy membership of the annual conference. Clergy who voluntarily indicate that they are unable to attend annual conference because of incapacity or advanced age shall not be counted in arriving at the balance between clergy and lay.
¶603 – AC Chancellors 603.8. The annual conference may shall designate,
as chancellor, and may designate one or more associate chancellors…
¶606 – The Journal It’s not a Disciplinary requirement, but…
The Business of the Annual Conference now requests publication of your annual audit in the journal.
¶610 – The AC Structure ¶ 610. The annual conference is responsible for structuring its ministries and administrative procedures in order to accomplish its purpose (¶ 601), with the exception of the mandated provisions of ¶¶ 611, 635, 636, 637, 639, 640, 647, 648…
1. Annual conferences are permitted the flexibility to design conference and district structures in ways that best support the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ in an increasingly diverse global community and that place secondary any prescribed structure, except for the mandated entities in ¶610 above. In doing so, an annual conference shall provide for the functions and General Conference connections with all general agencies provided by the Discipline as follows:
¶610 – The AC Structure a) There shall be clear connections between the General Conference agencies, annual conference program and administrative entities, and the local congregations. These connections shall be identified in the business questions of the annual conference each year.;
¶610 – The AC Structure b) There shall be clear checks and balances regarding program functions and financial/administration functions within the annual conference. These structural matters will be defined and approved by the annual conference session. Further, conferences are permitted to create contextually appropriate structures that encourage collaboration and partnerships among all program, administrative, and financial entities. Annual conferences may fund their ministries in ways that reflect conference priorities and structures, as approved by the annual conference budgeting process. All disciplinary references to “equivalent structures” shall be defined by this paragraph. In doing this, the annual conference may organize units so long as the functions of ministry are fulfilled and the connectional relationships are maintained.
¶ 612 – CFA Purpose, Membership, Relationships 1. Purpose‐The purpose of the council shall be to develop, maintain, and administer a comprehensive and coordinated plan of fiscal and administrative policies, procedures, and management services for the annual conference.
¶ 612 – CFA Purpose, Membership, Relationships 7. Relationships‐a) The council and the annual conference council on ministries shall cooperate in the development of the conference benevolences budget (¶ 614.3). b) In the interest of developing and implementing coordinated annual conference policies in the areas of fiscal management and administrative services, the council shall serve in a liaison role among conference agencies with responsibilities in these areas. It shall be authorized to convene representatives of annual conference administrative and clergy support agencies for the purpose of consulting on matters of mutual concern, such as the coordination of fiscal management, fundraising activities, and administrative services in the annual conference.
¶ 613 – CFA Responsibilities 7. To assist advise local churches in about making their church buildings, facilities, and programs accessible.
¶ 613 – CFA Responsibilities 15. In cooperation with the General Council on Finance and Administration, related annual conference agencies and institutions, and local churches, to make recommendations to the annual conference regarding the development, promotion, and review of a broad general program of insurance protection, except for employee benefit programs. Responsibility Moved to 2512.8 – Board of Trustees
¶ 613 – CFA Responsibilities 15. In cooperation with the General Council on Finance and Administration, related annual conference agencies and institutions, and local churches, to make recommendations to the annual conference regarding the development, promotion, and review of a broad general program of insurance protection, except for employee benefit programs. Responsibility Moved to 2512.8 – Board of Trustees
¶615 – Apportionments ¶ 615. Apportionments‐When a change to the apportionment formula or method is proposed, the council should provide for a study of the proposed change’s effects. After its study, which may include resources supplied by the General Council on Finance and Administration, the council shall recommend such formula or method to the annual conference for its action and determination which shall include the approved budgeted amounts for clergy support, administration, World Service, Conference Benevolences, and other apportioned causes (¶ 614.1‐.4), the sum of which shall be apportioned to the districts, churches, or charges of the conference…
¶615 – Apportionments …1. The council, on receiving from the General Council on Finance and Administration a statement of the amount or methodology for apportioning apportioned to the annual conference for the several general funds as authorized by the General Conference, shall apportion the same to the several districts, charges, or churches by whatever method the conference may direct, but without reduction. The council shall make every effort for the full payment of these apportionments as a part of the Church’s shared financial covenant.
¶2512– Conference Trustees 2512.8 In cooperation with the General Council on
Finance and Administration, related annual conference agencies and institutions, and local churches, to make recommendations to the annual conference regarding the development, promotion, and review of a broad general program of insurance protection, except for employee benefit programs.
Yippy! Skippy!
THE 2013 GENERAL FUNDS APPORTIONMENTS BUDGET
2013‐2016 Formula • Largely the same formula, but… • Huge increases for four conferences – Alaska – Oklahoma Indian Missionary – Red Bird – Rio Grande
Total Apportioned Equals… Net Expenditures
X
Base Percentage (as adjusted)
Millions
Graph of Budget vs. Apportioned 170 165.3
165 160.7
160
157.4
155
158.5 -1.4 Million 157.1
-4.3 Million
-11.4 Million
156.4 153.9
150 145 140 2009
$ -17 Million 2010
2011
2012
149.9
2013
For This Quadrennium Year Apportioned 2013 149,907,000 2014 149,721,547
Budgeted 149,907,000 150,078,000
Global Apportionment Formula • Previous proposal thrown out by Judicial Council • Questions for this quadrennium: – Shared formula? – Which funds? – Which statistics?
A humble request from your friendly denominational lawyers
THE FOUR REASONS A CHURCH CONTACTS GCFA’S LEGAL DEPARTMENT
1. Group Ruling letters All local churches are included in the denominational umbrella tax exemption ruling. Form can be found at www.gcfa.org under Quick Search “Group Ruling Request Form” Additional questions call 615‐369‐2395.
2. Permission to use Cross & Flame Permission to use the Cross & Flame must be obtained. More information can be found at www.gcfa.org under Quick Search “Trademark use – The Cross & Flame”
3. FEDERAL Tax Issues
4. Housing Allowance questions