GCFA Board Meets on Connectional Funding Request

The Board of the General Council on Finance and Administration met on May 20 to address a matter of significant Connectional importance. The Board wholeheartedly affirmed the need to support initiatives regarding funding in Central Conferences for theological education. The Board committed to work collaboratively across the United Methodist Connection to make this funding a reality. 

The GCFA board received a request per the Book of Discipline ¶820.3 for a denomination-wide, one-time $35 million special appeal from The Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Central Conferences. The Board was extremely supportive for additional theological education funding in our Central Conferences. As GCFA’s role in approving special appeals is one of fiduciary responsibility, the Board deferred a decision until a revised request is submitted that addresses accountability of oversight of the funds by an audited general Church agency, in conjunction with review of general Church apportionments collections. The Board committed to ongoing conversations across the Connection to bring this initiative to fruition in the future.

“Our Board could not be more grateful to Bishop John Schol and members of The Endowment for lifting up this important and life-changing need that will ultimately help the United Methodist Church grow and thrive across the world,” said Board Chair Bishop David Graves. “We look forward to successful conversations across the Connection to make this funding a reality.”