GCFA : General Council on Finance and Administration

GCFA: Serving the Church through the ministry of administration

General Council on Finance and Administration. The United Methodist Church

COUNCIL OF BISHOPS REQUEST SPECIAL APPEAL FOR THE PHILIPPINES

During the recent meeting of the Council of Bishops, a special appeal was issued for relief help to the people of the Philippines. This appeal is in response to the devastation caused by multiple typhoons that hit the area in a short time – leaving homes destroyed and lives affected.

Bishop Leo Soriano, a member of the GCFA Council, was in the US when the first of several typhoons hit the area. Working together, the bishops of the Philippines and others made a presentation to the Council of Bishops about the need for immediate relief funds. Long-term recovery will mean rebuilding livelihoods as well as homes, Soriano explained. Many flood victims "simply have only the shirt on their back ... so you have to help them rehabilitate and many of them will be relocated because they could not build again where they were before."

The funds raised through this appeal will directly impact the people affected by the severe damage caused by the storms.

To give to the fund, click here.

Administrative Services Ministry Is the Focus at
The General Council on Finance and Administration

“Serving the Church through the ministry of administration” is the mission of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). Guided not only by its mission, the board and staff also look to scripture, particularly 1 Corinthians 3:9a, as the agency seeks ways to work with others to fulfill the agency’s servant ministry and the mission of The United Methodist Church.

GCFA is charged by Discipline to care for the administrative, legal and financial needs of the Church. In addition to departmental services as listed on this site, GCFA works with other boards and agencies and organizations outside the Church to offer several programs and services that will assist annual conferences and local churches throughout the connection with their administrative ministries.

Several of those services are listed below. More are in development. Check our site often for updates to the services provided by GCFA.

Electronic Funds Transfer Service with Vanco Services - UM EFT
The United Methodist Electronic Funds Transfer Service (UM EFT) has been operational for several years. It allows members’ contributions to be electronically transferred from their checking or savings accounts and deposited into the church’s bank account on a steady, uninterrupted basis. This service can help your church reduce fluctuations in giving throughout the year while making it easier for your members to honor their pledges. (read more) (PDF 673 KB)

FTC Consumer Alert: Churches Cheated in Opportunity Scam.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert regarding financial scams aimed at local churches. The scam offers “too-good-to-be-true” opportunities to raise funds directed at churches looking for ways to continue ministries with much needed cash. (Read full story here.) (PDF 142 KB)

UMC Foundation Sees Evidence of Abundance
The United Methodist Church Foundation (www.umcfoundation.org) is finding many signs of hope in the midst of severe economic strains In the areas of both giving and investment, the Foundation sees evidence of abundance… (read full story)
(PDF 70 KB).

Conferences and Churches Recognized for Reaching Apportionment Goal
Seventeen of the denomination’s 63 annual conferences paid 100 percent of all apportionments in 2008. (For the full story, click here to be connected to the UM News Service article).

Professional United Methodist Secretaries Receive Certification
The Professional Training and Standards Committee of the Professional Association of United Methodist Secretaries (PAUMCS), announces the certification of United Methodist Church Secretaries. (For complete announcement, click here.) (PDF 75 KB)

Church Business Administrators Receive Certification
GCFA, in connection with The United Methodist Association of Church Business Administrators (UMACBA) announces the 2008 class of certified Church Business Administrators. (more…) (PDF 13 KB)

The General Council on Finance and Administration is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Deputy General Secretary of Operations. Details of the position are included in the position description. (PDF 38 KB)

For additional information and forms related to available employment opportunities, click here.

GCFA Staffers Travel to Africa
Nashville, TN – Staff of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) recently traveled to Europe and Africa on a trip designed to build community and support systems that culminated in a renewed relationship focused on ministry to the people of The United Methodist Church for all parties involved. (Read full story)
(PDF 91 KB)

Revised Administrative and Judicial Procedures Manual available
The Administrative and Judicial Procedures Manual can be found here.

2009 Annual Conference Dates
Click here for a list of the 2009 Annual Conferences.
(PDF 67 KB)

2009 Quadrennial Training
“We must continue to be an abundant and hopeful people.” That was one of the messages heard by Annual Conference Treasurers, Statisticians, Equitable Compensation Chairpersons, Secretaries, Trustees and Finance and Administration Chairpersons as they came from across the United States to meet for training, fellowship, and inspiration in Irvine, CA.
Training materials from the conference are available online. To access the documents, visit:
www.gcfa.org/2009_Quadrennial_Training.html.

2009 Annual Conference Apportionments:
This report shows the 2009 jurisdictional annual conference apportionments for the seven general funds, in accordance with the apportionment formula approved by the 2008 General Conference.

IRS Announces 2009 Mileage Reimbursement Rates
The IRS has announced the mileage reimbursement rates for 2009. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (which includes vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

	55 cents per mile for business miles driven
	24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
	14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The link below will give you the full details and explanations from the IRS. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=200505,00.html

2009 – 2012 Financial Commitment Booklet Available Online and in Print
Following the actions of the 2008 General Conference, the Financial Commitment Booklet for the 2009-2012 quadrennium for The United Methodist Church has been prepared by The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). The contents of the book are available on this website, www.gcfa.org. Printed copies are available and can be obtained by contacting Customer Service at United Methodist Communications 888-346-3862, or send a request by email to FCB@gcfa.org.

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