NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new clergy wellness program is one of the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the recent sale of the headquarters building of the General Board of Finance and Administration.
The GCF Board of Directors met virtually on Aug. 18 and approved a resolution designating funds from a recent property sale. GCFA recently sold its headquarters at 1 Music Circle N. in Nashville and has moved into 1908 Grand Avenue, sharing space next to the Discipleship Ministries, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and Africa University Development Office, among others.
GCFA received $12.7 million in proceeds from the sale, and the board approved designations for the proceeds, including missional investment in the form of innovative training events and retreats for church leaders, future long-term capital expenditures, and operational expenses.
The first training event, called "Refresh. Renew. Recenter," is a clergy wellness retreat also funded in part through a Lilly Foundation grant in conjunction with Wespath. These events are focused on the five pillars of well-being, including physical, spiritual, mental, social, and financial wellness. GCFA anticipates planning more of these in partnership with annual conferences and other agencies.
“We bring a spirit of thankfulness for our local pastors who are doing the front lines work of making disciples,” said the Rev. Moses Kumar, GCFA’s general secretary and treasurer said. “We look forward to seeing the fruit of this and other innovative events to refresh and restore our valued clergy.”
Based on financial and economic data available, the GCFA board voted to increase bishops' salaries and office grants in the Jurisdictional and Central Conferences by 4% in 2023 and voted to maintain the current level of housing grant for 2023. In addition, the board received an update regarding GCFA’s annual conference survey, which had a response rate of more than 90%. The survey results estimate an anticipated reduction in local church expenditures due to church disaffiliation or closure. A 21.3% net expenditure reduction was forecasted through 2025. Similarly, the Economic Advisory Committee projected a decline in the apportionment base by 24% through the next quadrennium from 2022 levels.
“The GCFA Board thanks the Economic Advisory Committee and annual conference leadership for their invaluable input in helping forecast our denominational finances,” Bishop Michael McKee, GCFA Board President,said. “We are grateful for United Methodist faithful who continue to give generously to United Methodist churches and the connection.”
The General Council on Finance and Administration coordinates and administers financial resources, safeguards the legal interests, and rights of the Church, and provides administrative resources to enable the fulfillment of the mission of The United Methodist Church.
Brandy M. Bivens serves as communications director. To learn more about UMC Support, sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Collaborator. Follow the council on social media: www.facebook.com/GCFAUMC www.twitter.com/@GCFA_UMC, and on its website at www.gcfa.org.