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Does your tech only work when it wants - not when you need it? Many churches only upgrade their Audio and Video equipment when something stops working, so extending the life of the equipment is crucial to get the most value out of your gear. Here are a few tips for audio and video equipment maintenance to keep things running optimally: Audio Equipment: Dust Dust will wreak havoc on A/V equipment if gone unaddressed and is one of the main reasons for equipment failure in churches, especially when it often only gets used once a week. Cover It – Covering equipment that is powered off between uses is a great way to help reduce the amount of dust that will collect on and in equipment. Clean it – Using compressed air to remove dust from vents and fans on equipment can help reduce the amount of dust collecting inside. Remember to power off and unplug the equipment and follow the instructions on the product. Do not turn the can of compress air upside down or it could spray out liquid that may damage the equipment. Move it – Audio mixer knobs and faders that never move collect a lot of dust and can start to cause noise in the system. It is a good practice to regularly note the position of a knob or fader and then to turn it back and forth to both ends about 10 times before returning it to its original location. This will help to clean and lubricate your knobs and faders. Spray it – After checking the manual for your equipment, you can purchase your manufacturer’s recommended Contact Cleaner and Fader Lube for a deeper clean of the mixer. Again, make sure to follow all instructions on these products. Declutter the booth The A/V booth has a way of collecting junk that does not belong there, from candy wrappers and bulletins from years past to spare lighters for the acolytes. Keeping the tech area clean and organized can go a long way in respecting equipment that costs valuable ministry dollars. Visual Inspection A couple of times a year it is a good idea to visually inspect any hanging speakers and wiring to make sure that they are still securely fastened and safe. You want to make sure that all brackets and safety cables are still securely fastened and that wiring is not frayed. Don’t forget the accessories Remember not to simply focus on the main pieces of equipment but also inspect all microphones, cables, and direct-in (DI) boxes. It is a good idea to annually clean or replace the microphone grills. Video Equipment: Projector To get the most out of your projector, you want to regularly remove dust from it as well. Compressed air and a duster work great for this, along with a proper lens cleaning cloth or towelette for the glass lens. Check the projector for air filters, remove them, and clean them according to manufacturer instructions. Usually this is done by carefully blowing compressed air through the filter in the opposite direction of airflow during normal operation. Be careful not to flip the orientation of the filter before removing it so you don’t put it back together with the dust on the inside where it can be pulled into the projector. Over time, traditional projector bulbs start to dim and eventually burn out. If you notice the projector is not as bright as it once was, you consider replacing the bulb while you are servicing the projector. Remember to wear gloves during this process so that you do not get oil from your skin on the bulb or mirror. Reference the owner’s manual for instructions on replacing the bulb. Camera Clean the camera lens regularly with a proper lens cleaner kit. Paper towel and even some fabrics that are not made for cleaning lenses will scratch them. Cables Clearly mark cables that need repair – take the time to mark bad cables with tape and a marker. Put tape over the ends of the cable and mark what the problem is. Bad cables that don’t get marked frequently make their way back into use and cause more problems. If there is a bad cable that you do not have the ability to fix, dispose of it properly. There is no benefit from keeping bad cables around. Power There are opposing thoughts among professionals on leaving equipment running or powering it off between uses. Whichever side your church is on, it is important to make sure that the equipment is getting the appropriate voltage to operate properly. You can purchase a plug-in voltage meter to monitor this, and your church can purchase a Power Conditioner if necessary. All equipment should be plugged in to surge protectors. Professional Maintenance Consider hiring a professional to come in annually or as needed to go through the entire system and re-calibrate the equalization (EQ) on the main system. Your ministry’s A/V resources are tools that can help you reach your physical and digital community in new and exciting ways, enhancing worship experiences, improving communication, and creating opportunities to share your message with greater clarity, creativity, and impact.

As we learned in our day to day living, some lessons and habits from the pandemic are here to stay. We know, we know, we are all tired of Zoom meetings… but consider whether or not an element of virtual meetings could remain in conjunction with your in-person meeting. In event terms – consider a hybrid event. A hybrid event is a meeting, event, or conference that combines an in-person component with an online or digital experience. Below we will review some considerations when planning or deciding if you should host a hybrid event. Strategize your goals Like every event you plan, take some time to sit down and write out your event goals. When you look at the purpose of the meeting – whether it be networking, getting work accomplished, training, etc. – you may determine some elements of virtual would be more beneficial to utilize while other elements of in-person would be better. Write these down and develop a unified event goal. Use these event goals for the virtual audience and the in-person audience. Consider hiring help Planning a hybrid meeting means planning 2 simultaneous meetings - one virtual and one in person. While a lot of the content is the same and the experience is designed to be similar, you will need to fully plan and execute two separate events. You will need two separate dedicated teams to ensure each event happens without a hitch. This may mean more staff than you currently have, different expertise than you have, or simply the need to focus on something else. You have heard the old adage, “hire out that which you don’t like to do.” Well, this is true for a hybrid event – if you love the in person side, hire out the virtual side, if you love the virtual side, hire out the in-person side. A little help can go a long way when running two simultaneous events. Create similar, but separate, agendas Speaking of simultaneous events, the next important consideration is your agenda. Look very critically to determine which content, sessions, and work needs to be accomplished by those online and those in the room to meet the unified event goal. But also think about the separate goals. Remember it is much easier to stay alert at an in-person meeting than a virtual one. Plan your agenda with both types of attendees in mind. And if this means splitting sessions and only having the critical content online, make that decision and market it well. Make certain to let attendees know the benefits and tradeoffs of their decision to either join the meeting in person and or virtually so they can register accordingly. Use your virtual lessons We have all now had 10 months of virtual meeting experience. Time to put those lessons to the test. All what you learned in the virtual world stands firm in a hybrid event – you still need to continue to educate your speakers about the virtual platform, engage your virtual audience, work successfully with sponsors for the virtual portion, etc. As you are planning a virtual event and an in-person event, use the lessons you’ve learned in planning the virtual side and don’t revert back to your pre-COVID in person ways. Think through your tech In that same vein, don’t think about your on site technology needs in the same way. A virtual only meeting or a in-person only meeting have very different needs than a hybrid meeting. When conducting a site visit at the hotel or venue, ensure the space is setup to be able to handle the power, connectivity, and equipment required to bring in the virtual hub as well. Then think through which technology can make the agenda successful and engage the audience as much is needed and budget accordingly. You will be spending more on your AV and technology needs while doing a hybrid event. Charge accordingly I know it can seem weird to tell people who are just sitting at home on their computer that they should pay to attend your event, but your tech expenses will be higher. You will need extra labor, extra equipment, and likely extra bandwidth, and this comes at a price. While you're in-person attendees expect to pay a registration fee to take care of the cost of them being there, meals, printed materials, and more, your virtual registrants still are costing you to attend your event. Look through the technology and AV budget line and divide that line item up between your in-person and virtual attendees to determine a virtual attendance fee. React to audience needs Virtual and live audiences have different needs. But the goal is still to create a unified meeting experience. Ask yourself the following questions prior to the event: How do you adapt content and create a digital experience that keeps your virtual audience as engaged as your in-person participants? Do you need additional moderators to facilitate discussions with the online audience? Should you use a wide angle camera so the virtual attendees get the feeling of being in the room? Do you create different slides to ensure the virtual attendees are following along? Do you ensure when going off schedule a slide is put up for the virtual attendees and the speaker says what the agenda is from the podium? How do you create an in-person experience that makes your live participants feel special? A little bit of planning the actual attendee experience goes a long way. Define roles We already talked hiring help, but once you have decided who is on the team, what the agenda is and how to react to attendees needs, it is time to talk roles. The person who is ensuring the live stream is up and going cannot also be calling the show on stage. The speaker giving the in person talk cannot be at the computer answering questions coming in. The manager who is working with the banquet team to ensure the room is set properly cannot be ensuring the correct attendees are logging in online. Take time with the team to write out all potential roles for your virtual portion and your in-person portion and assign them prior to getting on site. Once your event day rolls around, having the roles assigned will result in a standing ovation – both from your in-person attendees and via clap emojis from your virtual attendees. After considering all the above, you may decide a Virtual-only meeting or an In-Person-Only meeting is for you. But you may also decide that a hybrid event may make your meeting more successful and better than ever! Maybe it is a way that you can keep travel costs lower, increase attendance or simply to make your meeting more transparent for those not formally invited. For any of those reasons and more, a hybrid meeting may be the way to go! Whether you need the in-person logistical support of a professional meeting planner, the production, and technology support from a Virtual Meeting expert, or even virtual event logistics, GCFA is here to help. Contact ConnectionalRelations@gcfa.org today to speak to a certified travel and meeting planner to help with your event!

The General Council on Finance and Administration is delighted to announce that registration is open  for the agency’s jurisdictional  virtual  Quadrennial Training, held online from September 16 – 18. Previous in-person events were held in Houston in February and Zimbabwe in July. Join us to LEAD: Leadership. Excellence. Agility. Discovery.  This professional training event is designed to empower and connect leaders within the United Methodist connection. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to pick which sessions may be most helpful to them in their roles in a convenient online format via Zoom Events. We are pleased to invite the following annual conference positions to join us:  Annual Conference Communicator  Annual Conference Secretary  Annual Conference Statistician  Annual Conference Treasurer  Director of Connectional Ministries  Council on Finance and Administration Committee Episcopacy Committees Equitable Compensation Committee Personnel Committee Trustee Committee Clergy Assistants to the Bishops  Administrative/Executive Assistants to the Bishops  All are encouraged to register and participate in this FREE TRAINING , held over Zoom. We look forward to welcoming you to this enriching event designed to foster leadership, excellence, agility, and discovery. Join us virtually in September to embark on a transformative journey of professional growth and connection.  Visit gcfa.org/quad-training  for more information.

Finding qualified people for an open position on your staff is hard. Finding the RIGHT person can be more difficult. Get your staff recruiting process off to a solid start by taking care of the basics. Step 1: Craft a Job Description Whether you’re revising an old description or creating a new one, it is essential that you have a well-thought-out job description. A good job description lays out the essential functions of the position and helps you envision your ideal candidate. It also helps the reader get a general understanding of the expectations and qualifications needed for the position. Providing a clear vision for the role in your ministry will help improve the quality of applicants that apply. Make sure your job description does not imply biases so you make the job available to all qualified applicants. Step 2: Post the Opening Your goal is to have a large and diverse pool of candidates. Post the position in as many places as you’re able. Online job boards, word of mouth, and local church bulletins are all great places to post. There are also several UMC specific online job boards including the United Methodist Church official website . Potential applicants are waiting to hear about ministry opportunities; make sure you reach them. Step 3: Screen Potential Candidates As you begin to hear from interested candidates, your selection process can get started. Phone screenings may not be necessary for every position, but they are an excellent tool to find the most qualified candidates and to weed out those that may not be a good fit in your organization. As you identify the most qualified candidates, you can start scheduling in-person interviews. Step 4: Conduct In-Person Interviews You’re getting closer to identifying your top candidates. In-person interviews are the best way to get to know candidates. You’ll want to ask questions about their skills and work experiences, as well as questions that reveal whether they’ll be a good fit for your workplace culture. Professional qualifications and personality fit are essential to staff efficiency. Step 5: Extend a Job Offer You’re now ready to add your team member. When you’ve chosen the best person for the position, send them a job offer letter. At this point you’ll conduct any background checks that you require. Make sure the offer letter you send has a deadline and is contingent on a positive background check. After all your verifications and screenings are complete, schedule a start day and prepare for your team member. Having the right people in the right positions will help your ministry achieve its missional goals and transform the world. If you are looking for more help with recruiting, consider taking our Recruiting 101 Course with our experienced Human Resources Team. You can also find out more about UMC Support’s Recruiting Service by visiting our website . Contact our Connectional Relations Team today to learn more about our recruiting services from our experienced HR team.

Annual Conferences across the United Methodist Church have just concluded, marking a powerful season of connection, worship, and discernment. But for event planners and conference leadership, the work is far from over—it’s already time to begin preparing for next year. GCFA’s Travel and Meeting Planning team has supported events across the connection and offers a proven, 12-month guide for planning your next Annual Conference. Whether you’re hosting hundreds or thousands, this step-by-step timeline helps ensure your event is purposeful, peaceful, and well-executed. 12 Months Out: Lay the Foundation Set your date and location : Give your team plenty of lead time to secure your preferred venue and avoid scheduling conflicts. Send RFPs to venues : Be clear about your needs—space requirements, technology, meal plans, and accessibility. Set a preliminary budget : This is your guardrail for all decisions moving forward. Tip : Use the Pre-Event Checklist  as a foundational planning document. 11–10 Months Out: Lock in the Logistics Conduct site visits  with your top venues. Sign your venue contract  and begin conversations with vendors. Solicit sponsors  and partners to help offset costs. (Need ideas? Boosting Ministry Impact with Sponsorships  offers inspiration.) Develop your event theme and branding  to guide visuals and messaging. 9–8 Months Out: Build the Framework Establish your planning team  and schedule recurring meetings. Outline your event program  and set a registration timeline. Launch your registration site  and begin outlining your agenda. 6–4 Months Out: Open the Gates Finalize your registration platform  and open early bird registration. Reserve overflow hotels  and confirm your housing block. Launch marketing emails  and build momentum with “Save the Date” announcements. Recruit volunteers  and begin creating your Run of Show. 3–1 Months Out: Execute with Confidence Send logistical details to your venue , confirm print deadlines, and finalize badges. Walk through the agenda with your AV team  and venue staff. Send “Know Before You Go” emails  to prepare your attendees. Event Week: Be Present, Be Flexible Arrive early  to check on room sets and food service. Monitor the event timeline , care for your volunteers, and troubleshoot as needed. Celebrate what God is doing through your gathering. 1 Week to 1 Month After: Wrap Up and Look Ahead Send your post-event survey  to gather feedback. Host a post-conference debrief  with staff, volunteers, and venue. Settle final invoices  and thank your vendors, sponsors, and speakers. Send out RFPs  for next year—and take a breath. You’ve earned it. Tip : Don’t forget to use the Post-Event Checklist  to guide your wrap-up process. We’re Here to Help Looking to see how this works in practice? Read how the Upper New York Annual Conference partnered with GCFA in the case study “A Smarter Way to Plan Church Events.”  Their story offers a firsthand look at how strategic support can reduce stress, improve logistics, and bring clarity to complex planning efforts—allowing leaders to focus on the ministry at hand. If your conference would benefit from professional planning support, GCFA’s Travel and Meeting Planning team can assist with every stage—from venue selection to onsite coordination. We understand the needs of United Methodist events and bring years of denominational experience to your planning table. Click here  to request more information about our Travel and Meeting Planning.

Your Pathway to Excellence in Church Business Management Are you ready to elevate your leadership skills and make a lasting impact on your church community? The Academy of Church Business Administration (ACBA) is your gateway to achieving excellence in church business management. Hosted by the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) in Nashville, TN, the ACBA is designed to empower pastors and church administrators with the knowledge and tools they need to lead with confidence and vision. Why Choose the ACBA? The ACBA is more than just an educational program—it’s an investment in your future. Known for its rigorous curriculum and exceptional faculty, the Academy delivers the high-quality education and certification that church business administrators have trusted for years. Whether you're a seasoned leader or stepping into a new administrative role, the ACBA provides the in-depth training you need to excel. Become a Certified Church Administrator and Obtain CEUs Participants in the program receive comprehensive, in-classroom training to pursue the designation of Certified Church Administrator (CCA) through The Church Network. For United Methodist church administrators, the ACBA also meets the requirements to become a Certified United Methodist Church Administrator (CUMCA). This dual certification opportunity makes the ACBA a unique and invaluable experience. Additionally, ACBA offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for individuals who are in church leadership positions to meet their education requirements. The 2025 ACBA is offering extensive focus days on Human Resources and Congregational Legal and Tax matters. These combined three days of training equate to 2.4 total CEU hour requirements in an engaging and structured classroom environment. Expert Guidance with Rev. Dr. Bob Winstead Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Bob Winstead, Director of the ACBA, attendees benefit from decades of expertise and dedication. Dr. Winstead, who serves on The Church Network's Professional Training and Standards Committee, not only provides top-notch instruction but also mentors participants through their capstone projects on the path to certification. His leadership ensures that every participant leaves the program with practical skills and actionable insights. Join Us in Nashville Immerse yourself in an environment designed for learning, growth, and inspiration. Held in vibrant Nashville, TN, the ACBA offers a chance to connect with peers, learn from industry leaders, and return to your church equipped to make a difference. The Future of Church Leadership Starts Here Don’t just manage—lead with purpose and precision. The ACBA is your opportunity to transform your approach to church administration, ensuring you’re prepared to meet the complexities of today’s church environment. Take the first step toward becoming a Certified Church Administrator or Certified United Methodist Church Administrator and join a network of leaders dedicated to excellence. Enroll Today! Seats are limited, so reserve your place now in the Academy of Church Business Administration. Together, let’s build stronger churches and brighter futures.

Cyberattacks are an ever present danger for anyone that has access to the internet. Ransomware attacks have become the top choice of hackers, famously causing the Colonial Pipeline shutdown earlier this year. UMC Support’s IT Services team wants to help your ministry avoid a costly and time-consuming ransomware attack. Tip #1 : Train your employees. Your employees and volunteers are your first line of defense against cyberattacks. They are also often unknowingly the entry point for various types of malicious software. As the tactics of hackers change and evolve, you’ll need to constantly train your staff to recognize and avoid suspicious content. Tip #2 : Create straightforward cybersecurity policies. Developing a set of rules and guidelines for internet use at your ministry can help you reduce the opportunities for security threats. Also, you can clearly outline a plan of action should you fall victim to a cyberattack. Consult with a cybersecurity professional to discuss developing your cybersecurity policies and guidelines. Tip #3 : Keep software up to date. Keeping your software up-to-date is one of the most effective tools in your fight against a cyber attack. Software updates often include patches that will aid in your cybersecurity efforts. This also includes mobile phone updates and patches as well. Hackers will use any point of entry available to get your ministry’s data. Tip #4: Back up your data. Daily backups will help your ministry recover from a cybersecurity attack. You should consider using data protections or a back up tool to schedule these tasks and prevent data loss. You can also find a service provider to help manage the backups and your data storage. Tip #5: Control access to computers. Limiting access to your ministry’s computers and other electronic devices will help reduce the opportunity for someone to either take information or make a mistake and expose your data to cybercriminals. Make sure your support staff have strong and secure passwords. Also restrict the admin privileges on your laptops and desktops to trusted staff or trained professionals. Protecting your ministry from a cybersecurity attack is the responsibility of you and your ministry team. UMC Support’s IT Services team can help you spend less time worrying about data security or restoration with our Worry-Free IT package . Contact our Connectional Relations team at ConnectionalRelations@gcfa.org to learn how we can help protect your ministry today!

Defining Your Brand to Guide Your Ministry Story This comprehensive resource is designed to help ministries create a distinct and compelling brand identity. Through a combination of a presentation and practical worksheets, this resource guides ministry leaders in articulating their mission, vision, and values in a way that resonates with their community. The materials offer step-by-step instructions for developing a cohesive brand strategy, ensuring that every aspect of the ministry's communication reflects its core message. Whether you're looking to refresh your current brand or establish a new one, this resource provides the tools and insights needed to effectively tell your ministry's unique story.

Bringing Expertise and Leadership to Advance the Mission of the United Methodist Church The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of the United Methodist Church is pleased to announce the appointment of Leticia Mayberry Wright as its General Counsel. With her extensive legal expertise and commitment to ministry, Mayberry Wright is poised to bring strategic leadership to this pivotal role, furthering the mission and values of the United Methodist Church. Leticia Mayberry Wright, who most recently served as Interim General Counsel prior to her appointment, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of excellence in legal guidance and leadership. Mayberry Wright began working in GCFA’s legal department in 2013. “Her dedication to protecting the interests of the United Methodist Church has been apparent throughout her tenure. Leticia was responsible for overseeing GCFA’s Group Tax Ruling and serves on the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee on the Boy Scout bankruptcy and the Immigration and Sexual Ethics task forces, while simultaneously taking on legal projects that support the work of the Church and protect the denomination.” said GCFA General Secretary Rev. Moses Kumar. “But more importantly, Leticia has a servant’s heart and is often the voice in the room asking, 'How does this help our members, clergy, Bishops, Chancellors and others?’ Her devotion is genuine.” In her new role as General Counsel, Mayberry Wright will continue to advise the board of directors and executive leadership on legal risks and governance strategies. Robert Mallett, the Chair of the Committee on Corporate Governance and Legal Responsibilities, stated, “Leticia’s passion for this ministry was evident throughout the search process, and she has already proven to be instrumental in training the denomination and aligning legal practices with the mission of the Church, while protecting its assets and reputation.” Mayberry Wright commented, “I am excited to be General Counsel during this time in the Church’s life. I look forward to connecting even more with the people in our great community and will strive to bring my talents and gifts to protect the Church’s ability to serve its members and communities.” Leticia Mayberry Wright’s appointment is effective immediately. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, UMC pastor Rev. Darren Wright, and their children.

The Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy reorganization plan has survived its first appellate challenge. The General Council on Finance and Administration has provided a brief overview of what that means, and what might be next. So, what’s the background? How did we get here?  In February 2020, The Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”) filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware in response to facing a significant number of lawsuits involving allegations of child sexual abuse. According to the BSA, the bankruptcy filing was intended to permit it to “ equitably compensate victims who were harmed during their time in Scouting and continue carrying out its mission for years to come .” Because United Methodist local churches have been one of the largest collections of chartering organizations for Scout troops, a “United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee” – consisting of several chancellors, two bishops, and two lawyers employed by GCFA – was formed to advocate for United Methodist interests within the bankruptcy proceeding. The Committee’s involvement ultimately led to a negotiated settlement, which includes a contribution by United Methodists of $30 million. In September 2022, the bankruptcy court approved a reorganization plan for the BSA that included the settlement negotiated by the Committee. While the approved plan was supported by most bankruptcy participants, the court’s ruling was appealed to the United States District Court located in Delaware. On March 28, 2023, that district court released an opinion affirming approval of the reorganization plan. What is the latest action involving this court case? On May 13, 2025, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a decision in the ongoing lawsuit involving the Boy Scouts of America. The court dismissed all claims but one, which is related to the insurance company Allianz.  This result and the remaining claim do not impact the United Methodist Church settlement. The dismissal of the claims means that the Settlement Trust can continue to process claims, and the United Methodist Church settlement remains unchanged. On Tuesday, May 27, the small group of dissenting sexual abuse Survivors filed a motion for rehearing en banc with the Third Circuit, seeking to have the entire Court review the three-judge panel’s May 13 decision dismissing their appeal.  This request was denied. What does it mean for my local Scout troop at my United Methodist church?  This specific ruling probably doesn’t mean much to the ongoing activities of Scout troops. Parallel to the bankruptcy, United Methodist leadership worked with the BSA to develop relationship documents to replace the charter agreement previously used for establishing troops. The General Commission on United Methodist Men has compiled those documents, along with other helpful information, here . What are possible next steps for this court case?  There is still potential for an appeal.  GCFA will continue to monitor the case.  Anything else I should know? The United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee and its bankruptcy counsel, as well as other United Methodist leaders, will continue to monitor the progress of this litigation and its potential impact on the denomination.

The United Methodist Church is in transition. At the 2020 General Conference there will be discussions about several proposals for the restructuring, separation, or dissolution of the United Methodist Church. These proposals have brought concerns about property, assets, and the trust clause to the forefront of discussions. We want to help United Methodists across the connection stay informed and have a full understanding of our current policies as they pray and prepare for GC 2020. 1. What is the Trust Clause? The United Methodist Church is governed by the Book of Discipline, which includes rules on how to become a member, how to ordain our pastors, how to organize the Church, and many other things. One of the rules in the Book of Discipline is that the legal documents (the “deeds”) demonstrating ownership of local church property must contain certain language called the “trust clause.” Essentially, the Trust Clause states that the local church owns the property, in trust, for the benefit of the entire denomination. The principal reason for this Trust Clause is to ensure that United Methodist local church property will continue to be used for United Methodist Church purposes. 2. What does it mean that the local church owns the property, in trust, for the denomination? The basic idea is that the local church owns the property, but the property can only be used for certain purposes of benefit to the entire denomination. Specifically, the Trust Clause requires that the property “[b]e used, kept, and maintained as a place of divine worship of the United Methodist ministry and members of The United Methodist Church: subject to the Discipline, usage, and ministerial appointments of said Church as from time to time authorized and declared by the General Conference and by the annual conference within whose bounds the said premises are situated. 3. What is the history of our Trust Clause? The history of our Trust Clause can be traced all the way back to John Wesley. In 1750, John Wesley requested three eminent lawyers to craft deeds for three Methodist preaching houses in England. These were to serve as models for all future deeds for the Methodists. Over the years, these deeds were revised several times and in 1796, under the leadership of Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke, a “model deed” was adopted by the General Conference for the Methodists in America. The Trust Clause as we know it today first appeared in our Book of Discipline in 1797. 4. What is the purpose of our Trust Clause? The answer to this question goes to the heart of what it means to be united. Obviously some things have changed since Wesley’s time many of the core principles that initially motivated the development of the Trust Clause are still important today, like connectionalism. Connectionalism is the principle that local churches in our denomination do not “stand alone” but are “connected” together. In contrast to purely congregational churches with local autonomy, United Methodist churches are part of a larger organizational and governing structure consisting of districts, annual conferences, and the General Conference. The ministers of each conference share a mutual covenant of mission to the whole Church. Moreover, United Methodist churches are connected through the other shared principles, discussed below. 5. What restrictions does the Trust Clause impose on our church property? Aside from the general responsibility to maintain and protect the property, the Book of Discipline sets forth detailed procedures a church must follow prior to taking most major actions affecting its property. For example, the district superintendent must consent to any sale, lease, mortgage, or extensive renovation of church property. This consent by the district superintendent reflects the denomination’s shared interest (through the Trust Clause) in the future of the church property. 6. I’ve heard people in my church say it isn’t right for the denomination to have such control over our property through the Trust Clause. They say it isn’t fair because it was our contributions that built this church and paid for its upkeep. Therefore, it should be our church. How should I respond to these statements as a faithful United Methodist? You could start by telling them they are right – it is their church! And as United Methodists, because of the Trust Clause, they can say the same thing about every other United Methodist church. You could also say it wasn’t just their contributions that built and sustained the church, but also possibly the contributions of generations of people before them who contributed with the purpose and hope that the church continues to be United Methodist in the future. You could then tell them their financial support of the church is just one side of a covenant. The United Methodist Church also made a covenant to supply and supervise ministers, provide financial and other aid to the church if needed, develop Sunday school materials and hymnals, and many other things. But, again, the most important point is that no United Methodist church stands alone. Each United Methodist church is part of a larger connection of shared purpose and mission that has been in existence for hundreds of years. And this connection is at the core of what it means to be United Methodist. You and your church are part of something much larger than yourselves – something you can be proud of as Methodism reaches the world over to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Nashville, Tenn. – June 11, 2025 – The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church is announcing that General Secretary Rev. Moses Kumar will retire in 2026 after more than 16 years of dedicated leadership.   Since assuming the role of General Secretary, Kumar has guided GCFA with integrity, fiscal stewardship, and a deep commitment to serving the connectional ministries of the church. Under his leadership, GCFA has navigated times of significant denominational transition while continuing to uphold its responsibility to provide financial and administrative support to the Church.   One of the most impactful initiatives under Kumar’s leadership—guided by his deep commitment to local churches—was the creation of UMC Support in 2016. This brand enables GCFA to provide professional administrative services to United Methodist ministries at below-market costs while also generating new revenue. Since its launch, UMC Support has effectively offset a $1.6 million loss in apportionment giving and increased generated revenue by 110% during the same period.   During Kumar’s tenure, the agency’s reserves went from a negative balance to a healthy, sustainable level in 2025. GCFA’s financial recovery was accomplished under Kumar’s leadership through judicious financial management and was bolstered by reduced travel expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the strategic sale of two properties in Nashville, and sound investment decisions by staff.   “It has been a blessing to be in ministry at GCFA for the past 16+ years,” Kumar shared. “The GCFA staff are the best team to work alongside. I am excited to work with the incoming General Secretary on an onboarding strategy that would most benefit the ministry of GCFA.”   Bishop David Graves, President of the GCFA Board of Directors, expressed deep appreciation for Rev. Moses Kumar’s service. “Moses has provided steady leadership and a clear vision for GCFA. I am deeply grateful for his devoted ministry and unwavering commitment to the Church and the organization. We thank him for all his support as we move into this time of transition for GCFA.”   To ensure a smooth leadership transition, GCFA has engaged an executive search firm with extensive experience in the religious and nonprofit sectors to assist in identifying the next General Secretary.   More information on the search process will be shared in the months ahead.   About GCFA:   The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) is the ministry of administrative oversight and support for The United Methodist Church. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, GCFA ensures financial integrity and accountability across the denomination and provides services that support ministry at every level of the church. For Media Inquiries, Please Contact: Andrew Jensen Director of Communications ajensen@gcfa.org