2025 Connectional Budget Is Approved

A Message From the Executive Director of Finance, Matt Conover

Friends,

When my son was in elementary and middle school, I would drop him off at school. Before he left the car each morning, I would tell him, “God has something good in store for you today”. Today, I celebrate with you and thousands around the world the faithfulness of God.

As Executive Director of Finance, I have the sacred privilege of participating in the connection of faithful and faith-filled resources with ministry throughout the world. Through connectional funding, each local church actively participates in the mission and ministries of the GMC.

As God’s stewards, we are called to handle our resources with wisdom and prayerful consideration. I am pleased to share details about our newly approved Connectional Funding Budget for the coming fiscal year.

Before reviewing the budget, I invite you to bathe it in prayer:

For our global leadership – that they may be granted wisdom, discernment, and vision as they guide the denomination.
For the ministries – that they may flourish and effectively serve those in need, spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.
For the local church – that they may be strengthened, equipped, and empowered to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Praying God’s blessings upon the GMC,
Matthew Conover, Executive Director of Finance

Connecting Faith and Ministry: The 2025 GMC Budget

A collaborative process

The 2025 Connectional Funding Budget represents a collective effort among the Assembly of Bishops, the Connectional Commissions, the Global Operations Team, and the Connectional Council.

The process began several months ago with input from various financial leaders within the denomination. Together, we diligently reviewed our current financial standing, anticipated needs, and opportunities for growth. Our goal was to create a balanced budget that aligns with our core values and strategic priorities.

Transparency and Accountability

We are committed to financial transparency. We encourage you to ask questions and engage in open dialogue about our financial stewardship. Regular financial updates will be published. Feel free to contact Matt with any inquiries at [email protected].

Disciplinary Charge

The Book of Doctrines and Discipline charges the Connectional Council to be guided by the following financial values:

Accountability to ensure that the assets God has entrusted to us are responsibly managed.
Transparency to create trust throughout the connection of the Global Methodist Church.
Local church centric as the strategic base for optimizing the mission of the Church.
Nimble and lean structure of connectional entities to ensure adaptability to the ministry needs of conferences and local churches.
Limited and sustainable policies so as not to restrict, but enable ministry to flourish. [1]

Disciplinary Restriction: The Book of Doctrines and Discipline guides us in the total amount to budget, “the 2025 budget shall not exceed 90% of the total sum received in general church connectional funding in 2024.”¹

Key Highlights

Connectional Funding Income

The total Connectional Funding provided by local churches worldwide totaled $7.1 Million[2] in 2024. The Disciplinary Restriction provides for a Connectional Funding Budget of $6.4 million for 2025.

Poised for Growth

The budget anticipates growth. In the development of the budget, there was a deliberate effort to provide for what are deemed, “Growth Contingencies”. These are line items that provide for the unforeseen. The total amount of Growth Contingency was set at an industry-standard 10% of the total budgeted income.

Commissions Fully Funded

Each commission, except for rearranging a few functional line items, has been funded beyond essential levels.

Staffing and Administration

Since congruence with the church’s mission and strategy, as well as congruence within the Commissions, is paramount, staff will be a major portion of any Connectional Funding budget. With 20 staff members in Global Operations, we are committed to supporting our dedicated staff and ensuring the efficient administration of our denomination’s operations. This line item includes providing competitive compensation and benefits, as well as investing in professional development opportunities.

The Episcopacy

Set apart for a ministry of visionary servant leadership, general oversight, and supervision in support of the Church in its mission, the financial support of bishops is crucial. The rapid and continued growth of the denomination creates opportunities beyond the local church. It is the foresight and vision of the Global Episcopacy that delineates the GMC from any other Wesleyan movement.

[1] The Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church, 2024.

[2] Unaudited results.

It is with great humility and a commitment to faithful stewardship, we acknowledge that these resources belong not to us, but to God, for the sake of His Kingdom. It is in this spirit that the Connectional Council presents the 2025 Connectional Funding Budget.

Connectional Conversations on Finance!

Join us for the April 17th Connectional Conversations as we sit down with COO, Mike Schafer, Executive Director of Finance, Matt Conover, and Chair of the Finance Commission, Harrison Bell, moderated by Executive Director of Communications, Dianne Burnett.

Our panel of financial leaders will engage in a discussion on the Church’s financial stewardship, budgeting, and resources. Plus, there will be a Q&A session—don’t miss your chance to ask questions and be a part of this exciting conversation by clicking below