From Pastor Kendra
July 2025 ~ Conference Benevolences
As we continue to look at our conference apportionment, we have reached Conference Benevolences. While this is a very impressive name, this fund is perhaps the most mundane of our funds.
This fund for the General Church is actually a line item that combines three different funds for the work of the denomination.
The General Administration Fund supports the critical work of the church that’s less visible than many of our other missional expressions. The General Administration Fund is what enables The United Methodist Church to function most effectively. Every four years, delegates from around the globe, selected by their peers, meet to discern the church’s future at General Conference.
Our church’s highest court, the nine-member Judicial Council, executes its directive to uphold church law. The history that formed us, and can still guide us today, is being preserved. None of these things—that allow us to continue our rich tradition of worship and service in the world—would be possible without The General Administration Fund.
The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund allows The United Methodist Church to partner with Christian sisters and brothers throughout the world to fulfill our shared mission. While we’re proud of what makes The United Methodist Church distinct, we’re also committed to recognizing and celebrating the presence and work of Jesus Christ among other Christian fellowships throughout the world. We’re partnering with the larger church to share the good
news of Christ together.
At a recent gathering of the World Council of Churches, United Methodist Church Bishop Mary Ann Swenson became the first female bishop to be elected to a top leadership position in the WCC. We’re joining our voices with Christians around the world to advocate for peace and justice. And through the Pan-Methodist Commission we’re pursuing reconciliation with other Methodist bodies to bear witness to the unity of Christ’s church. The Episcopal Fund is,
in every way, for us. Our bishop, and others around the globe, are hard at work for The United Methodist Church.
Bishops prayerfully determine pastoral appointments. They counsel with pastors and encourage congregations. Our bishops not only lead in the connectional ministry of the church, but you will also find them on the forefront of world issues encouraging secular leaders to incorporate faith into their decision making. The bishops serving The United
Methodist Church today are ensuring that the ministry of Jesus Christ is being carried out by the church. Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey is supporting the disaster relief efforts of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Bishop Michael Coyner is leading an endowment and scholarship campaign for Africa University. Bishop Will Willimon is inspiring and equipping pastors to be biblical preachers. The Episcopal Fund is what supports our bishops as they sup-
port The United Methodist Church.
Many conferences, including ours, receive salary support toward the work of the Episcopal Office.
We support these three funds at the cost of $318.53 per month.
