Council proposes $9.26 million budget
for 2008 conference mission, ministry


Southwest Texas Conference leaders are to consider a $9.26 million budget in June for mission and ministry during 2008.
The Council on Finance and Administration voted March 30 to send the proposed spending plan—and the apportionments to fund it—to the June 6-9 annual conference session for consideration.
The 2008 total represents a 3.87 percent increase from the 2007 budget amount.
Budget details are to be spelled out in a pre-conference report mailed later this month to clergy and laity representatives of the region’s 344 United Methodist congregations.
“I’m pleased that the overall budget increase stays well below the increase in what the churches have spent on themselves,” said Robert W. Woolsey, finance council chair. “It’s below 4 percent. That’s where we wanted to be.
“I think the council is being very responsible.”
Woolsey said he was pleased with one accounting change in the 2008 budget. The change consolidates all meeting expenses for conference program boards and agencies into one line item.
“Some were concerned that (the single line item) would show that we were spending $100,000 on meeting expenses,” said Woosley, a member of First UMC, Corpus Christi. “I think it’s good to see that expense. I think people should know how much we are spending on travel. Furthermore, it will help the council better control agency spending for travel.”
The biggest percentage increase in proposed 2008 apportionments is 14 percent for new church development. The asking goes from $535,663 to $610,942.
The 2006 annual conference session voted to make new church development and transformation a major initiative and authorized a capital fund-raising campaign for starting new churches.
Two proposed 2008 apportionments are down from 2007:
> Higher Education and Campus Ministry is seeking about $4,300 (0.4 percent) less.
> Ecumenical Causes are asking for $245 (0.4 percent) less.
Other proposed apportionment increases range from 0.23 to 5.4 percent.