WASHINGTON -- The United Methodist Church's financial administration agency is asking for church members' input as it prepares the 2005-2008 denominational budget.
The denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) has asked bishops to send a representative from each U.S. annual conference to the first day and a half of its fall meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Nov. 21-24 in Nashville, Tenn., according to the United Methodist News Service (UMNS).
For the first time, the top executives of each churchwide agency have been asked to bring a financial leader from their governing boards, according to the UMNS.
The General Conference votes on the budget every four years. Church members contribute the funds, which are processed through the denomination's congregations and annual conferences. The GCFA disburses the money.
"We will all benefit from addressing the perceived disconnect between the budget that is voted by the General Conference delegates and the interpretation of that budget in the annual conferences," said Sandra Lackore, GCFA's chief executive and the church's treasurer.
"In the process, we can begin to bridge the gap between the local church and General Conference," she said.
