GCFA ANNUAL REPORT

STEWARDSHIP.2016 SERVICE. HOPE. 2 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT THE STORIES OF OUR MINISTRY SUPPORT YOU.

3 5 FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY Hear from Moses Kumar as he recaps the joy of 2016

TABLE 6 THE LOCAL CHURCH GCFA works diligently to find ways to support local OF churches through the ministry of administration 8 THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE CONTENTS Technical support and connectional training are just two of the ways that GCFA has provided assistance for annual conferences in 2016

ANNUAL 2016 REPORT 12 THE GENERAL CONFERENCE Take a look into the GCFA experience of the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon

15 BOARDS AND AGENCIES Through collaboration and connectionalism, we do more when we combine our efforts and resources with other boards and agencies

Cover Photo: The sun rises behind the cross at Belin Memorial United 17 Methodist Church. THE CENTRAL CONFERENCE GCFA continues the work to find new and innovative ways Photo by Austin Bond Photography. to support the ministry efforts of central conferences

20 HOW WE SERVE The working culture at GCFA is one of service and ministry

25 FINANCIAL REPORT 27 GCFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE TEAM

4 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY

Grace to you, and Peace –

Thank you for taking a moment to review 2016 with us. The General Council on Finance and Administration of The (GCFA) is here to help you in your ministry. We take our ministry of administration seriously and are blessed to work diligently to assure our services to you are helpful.

Whether you work as a lay or person in a local church, annual conference or general Church board or commission, we hope you will see that the stories of our ministry support you.

In the following pages, you can see how we live out our desire to help you make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Moses Kumar General Secretary and Treasurer The General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church

5 THE LOCAL CHURCH

“Give me 100 preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God; such alone will shake the gates of hell.” -

6 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 efined as “the most significant • Camping ministries area through which disciple- • Dance ministry making occurs”, ¶201, 2016 • Mission study BookD of Discipline, the local United • United Methodist Women Methodist church serves the world in • United Methodist Men many areas: • Music and arts ministry • Young people’s ministry • Worship service • Bible study • Discipleship study and faith Local churches in the United Methodist development connection budget funds and resources • Community Outreach to carry out its individual and • Pre-school/Daycare connectional missions to make disciples. • Elder care • Meals on wheels Working with vetted vendors, the General • Homeless shelter/safe havens Council on Finance and Administration • Safe sanctuaries (GCFA) seeks to provide support for Joyfully2UMC® is the exclusive United • Men’s bible study disciple making at the local church level Methodist giving app, available on iPhone • Women’s bible study by providing access to resources that and Android. • Outreach and Missions – local can help a local church raise funds for to global their local ministries.

7 Photo by Matt Brodie, South Carolina Conference South Carolina Photo by Matt Brodie, THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The annual conference of The United Methodist Church is a pivotal and vital part of the connection that serves to pool resources, finances and ministries in each area.

8 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016

GCFA’S SHARED SERVICES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STAFF WERE GREAT TO WORK WITH

Michael Murphy-McCarthy Director of Information Technology and Database Administrator The North Georgia Annual Conference

s an administrative arm of The “We’re projected to have a 60+% cost system and very easily see what the United Methodist Church, the savings in the spring of 2017 as candidate still needs to do. This helps annual conference coordinates compared to the spring of 2016. to better coordinate conference and connectionalA ministries. Incredibly, in addition to the significant district efforts.” cost savings, we will have more robust Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins To support this work, GCFA provides integrated resources, fewer system Vocational Discernment services to the annual conference issues, and noticeably faster Office of Ministerial Services through our internal departments, applications.” The North Georgia Annual Conference products and services that include: Michael Murphy-McCarthy • IT Back-up and Recovery Director of Information Technology and • Episcopal Services Database Administrator • Human Resources Consultation The North Georgia Annual Conference TRAINING IN THE • Financial Services CONNECTION • Internal audits GCFA’s Shared Services and Information ANNUAL TRAINING: • IT Infrastructure Technology staff worked with the North Equipping staff members with the tools, • Legal Services Georgia Conference staff culminating in resources and knowledge to do their • Meeting Planning the best architecture for all applications, jobs well supports the ministries of The and an implementation plan that worked United Methodist Church. Each GCFA in the North Georgia Conference staff member in 2016 completed at schedule. Hours of systems testing and least one professional development TECHNICAL SUPPORT troubleshooting ensured a smooth program or course in their field of work. In service to Annual Conferences, GCFA setup, transition and launch. Nine of them have attended two or more is working collaboratively with the North training opportunities. Training ranged Georgia Annual Conference. from participating in Church Business Regarding the UMCARESPlus system for Administrator training to SQL training, Early in 2016, North Georgia migrated to candidate tracking, the North Georgia finance courses to investment training, GCFA’s backup and recovery offering, Conference also uses this revised and Word and Excel proficiency training to and then in the fall set up servers in upgraded program. “UMCARESplus has HR compliance training, leadership GCFA’s hosted server environment to allowed me to monitor candidate’s development and much more. The serve as North Georgia’s cloud. The progress through the candidacy training topics are as varied as the jobs migration was completed in December. process. I am able to log into the

9 NAACT TRAINING: The National Association of Annual Conference Treasurers (NACCT) conducts an annual event attended by Treasurers and other annual conference financial staff who gather for a week of 14 annual 3 annual 7 annual training on topics related to conferences conferences conferences adminstrative work of the church. GCFA assists the organization with use receiving IT using meeting planning and training topics. etouches – assessments UMCARESplus “I have really the event enjoyed the on- line classes! As the management financial administrator of the church, it has been wonderful software having a bigger understanding of the entire picture of church operations! In addition, the church finance program and the class on taxes was so useful!”

Sharon Bowater Nolensville First UMC Finance/Business 14 3 7 Administrator

are at GCFA. this year; hosting the Church Business Administrators training; involvement GCFA STAFF TRAINING with Chancellor and Treasurer training; In the summer of 2016, Cheryl Akey, and our biggest event, Quadrennial Travel and Meeting Planning Manager at Training for Church leadership. GCFA, received her Certified Meeting CHURCH BUSINESS ADMINISTRATORS Planner (CMP) designation. Knowing the PAUMCS: The inaugural session of the Academy value it added to her job, she For the first time in 2016, United of Church Business Administration encouraged others. Jeannette Foster Methodist church staff had the (ACBA) was at GCFA June 20 - 30, 2016. began her process of CMP designation opportunity to obtain certification as Training and continuing education were in 2016. Cheryl said, “The qualifications United Methodist professionals with the provided to 35 attendees during the two for certification include education, online Professional Association of weeks focusing on church management, experience and a rigorous exam. There United Methodist Church Secretaries human resources, strategic planning, are approximately 11,000 meeting (PAUMCS) Certification Course. The and other topics related to the planners around the globe that have a online course was $300 and priced to fit "business" of the church. The ACBA is CMP designation. It is considered the church and personal budgets. It open to all denominations. As a United badge of excellence in the meeting and consisted of courses to assist church Methodist affiliated training site, event industry.” GCFA now has three administrative personnel. reduced tuition is available to United CMPs on staff! Methodist affiliated participants. Fifty-two persons participated in 2016! Participants have the option to obtain We have not only received training, but In the past, the class size was limited to certification as a Certified Church also offered training to the connection. 30 people per year. Certification not only Administrator through The Church Training topics range from immigration helped increase the number of Network. and legal rights issues, development of professional workers serving our church, the Professional Association of United but also opened the opportunity for SAFE SANCTUARY TRAINING Methodist Church Secretaries online Central Conference personnel to The Legal Services Department of GCFA certification institute – which nearly become certified. provides safe sanctuary training in tripled the number of people certified conjunction with the General Commission on Religion and Race.

10 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Island, Georgia. Working collaboratively with the Council of , new bishops received information from the GFCA Episcopal Services, Financial Services and Shared Services Departments to aid in the transition from appointed clergy to the Episcopacy, including 1 moving (when applicable) family and home from one area to GCFA provides training in this area, plus another. support when requested. 1. Annual Conference Leaders in QUADRENNIAL TRAINING: training at the Quadrennial Training At the start of a new quadrennium, Event, Jacksonville, FL 2. Brian Mills GCFA engaged in training new and leads a training session during the returning leaders in a number of Academy of Church Business Ad- positions. In October, 2016, GCFA ministrators event 3. Corey Wills, hosted the 2016 Quad Training in Cheryl Akey and Jeannette Foster Jacksonville, FL. Nearly 300 annual with professional certifications conference church leaders attended representing these positions:

• Annual Conference Treasurers 2 • Annual Conference Secretaries • Chair of the Committee on the Episcopacy • Chair of the Board of Trustee • Chair of the Board of Equitable Compensation • Statisticians • Personnel • Chair of the Committee on Finance and Administration

The training is sponsored each quadrennium by GCFA and assists denominational leaders in developments in their field based on changes to The Book of Discipline, provides an opportunity to network with other professionals in their role in the Church, and offers meaningful and relevant training content. The event was coordinated by the Travel and Meeting Planning and Shared Services Departments of GCFA.

BISHOP TRAINING: In the fall of 2016, newly commissioned bishops received training in St. Simons 3

11 “The General Conference shall Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS have full legislative power over all matters distinctively connectional...” ¶16, art. IV, 2016 Book of Discipline Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS Photo by Kathleen Barry,

12 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 THE GENERAL CONFERENCE

Each quadrennium, the General Council on Finance and Administration, working together with the Connectional Table, the Budget Leadership Team and the Economic Advisory Committee – and in the United Methodist connection – prepares the general Church quadrennial budget.

he budget process begins two and a half years prior to the presentation and requires input Tfrom several areas. The people and ministries of The United Methodist Church, their prayers and concerns for the Church are always the foundation for working through the quadrennial budget.

Preparation for the presentation of the budget included visits to delegate meetings to inform delegates of the process of arriving at the proposed budget and to answer any questions delegates might have regarding the budget they would vote on when representing the denomination during

General Conference. The GCFA Booth at General Conference featured information on the products and shared services offered by GCFA. GCFA staff – and all involved – gathered throughout the quadrennium to prayerfully consider the generous capacity for giving by the people of The additional $5 million for Central United Methodist Church. On behalf of Conference Theological Education. those who worked diligently to develop a fair and equitable budget, GCFA The GCFA Sponsorship Department, in presented a budget of $599 million to consultation with the vetting team that the General Conference in May. The includes GCFA board members and the General Conference – the global body of Commission on the General Conference, decision makers for the Church who are worked throughout the quadrennium to as equally concerned with our global vet and select vendors as Corporate connection – approved a budget of Sponsors and underwriters of the $604 million – which includes an General Conference.

13 14 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 BOARDS AND AGENCIES

"Connectionalism is an important part of our identity as United Methodists. It is a vital web of interactive relationships (¶ 132) that includes the agencies of the Church as defined in ¶¶ 701.2 and 701.3, with the purpose of equipping local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry throughout the world, all to the Glory of God. It provides us with wonderful opportunities to carry out our mission in unity and strength." ¶701, 2016 Book of Discipline

he United Methodist Church focus solely on helping the organization connection is vast, global, and raise funds for the endowment, and focused on its ministry. assisting more students pursue their T dreams of attending college/seminaries Each local church touches the lives of its at United Methodist schools. members. Each general agency of the UMC equips local congregations with GCFA is a partner with nearly all resources and services while providing a agencies in The United Methodist connection for ministry throughout the Church in some way to help world. These organizations (councils, administratively with the work they boards, commissions, committees, accomplish and includes Human divisions or other units) are at all levels Resources, IT Help Desk, and Data of the connection (global, regional and Services to name a few. UMCARESplus local). – developed by GCFA and GBHEM – provides support for candidacy tracking The General Board of Global Ministries and is used extensively by the General (GBGM) moved its offices from New Board of Higher Education and Ministry York City to Atlanta, Georgia in 2016. and several annual conferences. GCFA was engaged in the building outfitting and IT infrastructure that The Human Resources (HR) Department assisted GBGM with the move into their of GCFA works collaboratively with the new office. HR departments of other agencies and annual conferences to develop strong In addition, our work included support of hiring, evaluation and onboarding fundraising for the Office of processes for staff. In 2016, the GCFA Scholarships and Loans at the General HR department worked with several Board of Higher Education and Ministry annual conferences in the recruitment (GBHEM). The United Methodist Church and hiring of several staff positions. Development Center of GCFA aided in promoting the Loans and Scholarship GCFA is honored to work in collaboration Office with the addition of staff that will

15 with other general Church boards and by The Book of Discipline. UMI is the non- agencies serving the denomination to profit, captive insurance carrier for The ensure the smooth and efficient United Methodist Church and its only operation of the UMC at far-reaching mission is to serve the local church. UMI levels – from work with lay and clergy knows and understands insurance members of local churches to the global needs of United Methodist churches. reach of the denomination, we are here For more information contact to help. 1-855-606-6505.

OUR WORK THROUGHOUT THE UNITED METHODIST CONNECTION

United Methodist Insurance (UMI) “I provides resources to local churches to really evaluate their insurance needs and enjoy when we Staff from GCFA and United Methodist provide minimum coverages as defined get to collaborate with Communications collaborate on a live Twitter event to other agencies. It helps to discuss budget questions leading up to 2016 General solidify the connectional value of Conference. the work I get to do from day to day.”

Melissa Jackson Strategic Branding and Creative Services Manager

16 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 The United Methodist Church in Kindu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

CENTRAL CONFERENCES

“I look upon all the world as my parish…” - John Wesley, June, 1739

17 honored to receive and distribute the apportioned fund that helps support Africa University.

In addition, the 2016 General Conference approved legislation that will more fully engage Central Conferences in Connectional Giving. Working with Central Conference members and Photo by Ngaatendwe Murimba 1 leadership, GCFA developed a giving plan that will expand avenues for global giving.

During this time, and with the exemplary THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE WITH input of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters (SCCCM), a formula was developed to include AFRICA UNIVERSITY IS NOT ONLY ONE OF Central Conference participation in the THE MOST EXCITING PROFESSIONAL general Church apportionment giving. A VISIT FROM THE NORDIC/BALTIC EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER HAD, IT IS ONE OF CONFERENCE CABINET

THE MOST REWARDING PERSONAL The Nordic/Baltic Conference Cabinet met with GCFA and other agencies. At EXPERIENCES AS WELL. GCFA, the team, lead by Christian Shannon Lavrin Alsted, learned about the work of GCFA Manager of Shared Services and engaged in vibrant conversation about shared services and GCFA resources available to Central Conferences.

WORKING IN THE PHILIPPINES

2 The External Relations Department of n a global denomination, the people GCFA, working in collaboration with of the Church provide support for Belmont University, initiated a program institutions like Africa University – in late 2016 to work with students who Iwhich celebrates its 25th Anniversary in have designated International Business 2017. as their track of study to define issues, conduct research and analysis, and offer GCFA AND AFRICA UNIVERSITY recommendations on the expansion of shared services throughout the global

The GCFA Shared Services and IT Photo by Ngaatendwe Murimba United Methodist denomination. The Departments sent staff members to project will focus exclusively on the Africa University to talk with AU high level, secure IT infrastructure for feasibility of expanding shared services leadership about IT infrastructure. The the Mutare campus that will be installed globally and will start with research in staff received a warm welcome and in 2017. The Philippines Central Conference. engaged in conversations with AU leadership about the need for upgraded The success of Africa University is due services for the students, faculty and to the support of the people of The staff of AU. The negotiations began and United Methodist Church. GCFA is the result is an agreement to provide

18 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 4

3 Photo by Ngaatendwe Murimba 5

1 & 2. Staff of Africa University and GCFA during the IT assessment 3. Discussion of shared services in central conferences 4.Discussion of the IT needs at Africa University 5. GCFA & Belmont students in the Philippines. 6. Nordic/Baltic Cabinet 6 meeting at GCFA

19 GCFA staff preparing school supplies for local children.

20 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 HOW WE SERVE

EACH OF YOU SHOULD USE WHATEVER GIFT YOU HAVE RECEIVED TO SERVE OTHERS, AS FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF GOD’S GRACE IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS. 1 Peter 4:10

21 GCFA staff work in 2016 to support local missions: THE MISSION IMPACT TEAM IS AN AMAZING 1 OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF TO GET CHRISTMAS GIFTS

The GCFA staff provided INVOLVED IN MINISTERING TO OUR LOCAL Christmas gifts for five families and gift cards to twenty individuals COMMUNITY HERE IN NASHVILLE, TN. I'M during the Christmas season. THANKFUL TO BE ABLE TO WORK FOR AN 2 ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES TIME FOR HELP FOR THE HOMELESS STAFF AND FOR OUR BOARD MEMBERS

For another local effort, the staff FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO donate and collect personal sized toiletries that are given to the PARTICIPATE WITH US. homeless and to transitional Sharon Dean housing shelters in the Nashville Director of Communications and Marketing area. These supplies help provide needed resources to those who are not able to purchase them individually. 3 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN n 2016, a GCFA board meeting was In 2016, GCFA staff and board members held in Southern California. While participated in two Stop-Hunger-Now The staff also participated in a there, the board was able to witness campaigns. Stop Hunger Now is a program to help children with Ithe ministry of local churches engaged in feeding ministry started by a member of reading skills. Over 550 books empowering the people of the area to be The United Methodist Church. Through were collected to help start a self-sufficient and bless the Lord in their this program, organizations host a parent-child reading program for community. gathering to assemble meal packets to the Brighter Days Ministry of be distributed globally to hungry Edgehill United Methodist Church GCFA has an internal Mission Impact populations. We held two events and at in Nashville, Tennessee. Team that works diligently to explore each one, 10,000 meals were packed in ways for the staff and board members to 2 hours! 4 serve the community. SCHOOL SUPPLIES

There was a collection of school supplies which were used to stuff backpacks and given to local school children at the start of the new school year.

22 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 GCFA staff pack food boxes for Stop Hunger Now. GCFA staff and board members visit ministries of United Methodist Churches in Southern California.

23 24 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 2016 FINANCIAL REPORT

PEOPLE DEDICATED TO THE MISSION OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND PROCESSES THAT CARRY OUT OUR MISSION. THE GENEROSITY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE. WE ARE BLESSED AND PRAISE GOD TO BE IN MINISTRY WITH YOU.

Moses Kumar General Secretary and Treasurer The United Methodist Church

25 27 Annual Conferences paid 100% of THANK YOU General Church Apportioned Funds

A BRIEF REVIEW Of 2016 Financials 57% 91.8% $.8 MILLION

2016 general Church The general Church GCFA reliance on apportionment apportionments exceeded 2015 apportionment collection rate of receipts decreased in 2016 to by $.8 million. 91.8% in 2016 surpassed 2015 57%. This is lower than the 62% rate of 91.6%. 2016 was the in 2015. highest collection rate of the last 20 years.

26 GCFA ANNUAL REPORT 2016 2017-2020 Board of Directors The Executive Team for the The General Council on Finance General Council on Finance and and Administration Administration

Officers Michael McKee ...... President Moses Kumar Christine Dodson ...... Vice-President General Secretary and Treasurer Judy Colorado ...... Recording Secretary Moses Kumar ...... General Secretary and Treasurer Jodi Chadwell Chief Officer of Shared Services and Ministry Evaluation VOTING MEMBERS Caitlin Congdon Bishops Chief Officer of Human Resources and Professional Michael McKee ...... North Texas Development Minerva Carcãno ...... California-Nevada Michael Cook CENTRAL CONFERENCES Chief Information Officer Mathurin Djoman Adjrabe ...... West Africa Rick King Per Endré Bjørnevik ...... Norway Chief Financial Officer Regan Reyes de Guzman ...... Philippines Steve Lambert JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCES General Counsel North Central David Bell ...... West Michigan Steven Court ...... East Ohio Valarie Willis ...... West Ohio

Northeastern Judy Colorado ...... Greater New Jersey Kenneth Ow ...... Baltimore-Washington Vasanth Victor ...... Greater New Jersey

South Central Reginald Clemons ...... Texas Mary Daffin ...... Texas Dustin Petz ...... Great Plains

Southeastern Miran Kim ...... Virginia Zac Riddle ...... North Alabama Steve Wood ...... North Georgia

Western Sandra Olewine ...... California-Pacific

Italisized indicates clergy GCFA leadership preparing a meal for a staff appreciation event on the GCFA campus.

27 www.GCFA.org

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