news article
Good news about 2020 Ministry Shares
January 26, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The pandemic of 2020 brought many challenges to our local churches as well as the entire Upper New York (UNY)Conference. Most local churches had to stop in-person worship, which reduced giving. The Conference office was closed to outside visitors. The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) had to create a revised reduced spending plan for all Conference Ministry Areas.
Despite these difficulties like none we have experienced before, there is still good news to share!
UNY Conference Treasurer, Bob Flask said, “Although the year seemed long, the Lord still provided. Many local churches saw an increase in giving toward year end. The Conference and many local churches we able to secure a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan/grant that helped with cash flow through the year. By year end, through grace, resilience, and faith in God we had over 65 percent of local churches pay 100 percent of their Ministry Shares while many others reached at least 50 percent or more.”
In addition to supporting local churches, local communities, and the UNY Conference, Ministry Shares enable the UNY Conference to pay General Church apportionments, which support the World Service Fund, the Ministerial Education Fund, the Black College Fund, the General Administration Fund, the Africa University Fund, and more.
Despite the overall decline in giving that the pandemic caused, CF&A voted to still pay 100 percent of the General Church apportionments for the fifth year in a row.
Flask said, “The increased giving toward the end of 2020, along with the Conference PPP and all Ministry Areas reducing expenses, the Conference was able to pay 100 percent of General Apportionments for a fifth straight year.”
Flask expressed gratitude toward the local churches; he said, “Thank you to all the local churches who paid toward their Ministry Shares during this extremely challenging year. Trust in God and he will provide.”