GCFA Announces New Initiatives, Benefits Updates, and Global Engagement Following Recent Board Meeting

August 15, 2025 – The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church convened its most recent virtual board meeting on August 15. 

As part of GCFA’s commitment to living into the Connection and supporting The United Methodist Church at a worldwide level, the Board of Directors approved the establishment of a Central Conferences Litigation Fund to better support litigation of denominational significance in the Central Conferences. 

Continuing GCFA’s dedication to serving worldwide ministries, the Board also approved funding for a quadrennial stewardship training event to be held this October in Manila, with participants chosen and invited by the area Bishops. This training will be modeled after GCFA’s successful African quadrennial stewardship training that occurred in July. 

The Board of Directors also approved recommendations regarding employee benefits for the General Agencies of The United Methodist Church (GAUMC). For the plan year 2026, a 6.5% increase in medical benefit premiums was approved. While any increase is challenging, it is important to note that this is the lowest renewal rate in the broker’s entire book of business, and it stands as the only single-digit increase among their portfolio. Other benefits, including vision and dental plans, saw little to no increase. This stability is a positive outcome of the collective efforts and wise stewardship across the agencies. 

For further information about GCFA’s initiatives, or to learn more about GCFA’s work and mission, please visit www.gcfa.org/about. We remain grateful for the ongoing partnership of our agencies, annual conferences, and local churches as we journey together toward a vibrant future for The United Methodist Church worldwide.