Parish Development
Parish Development: Our Mission We serve the churches of the Annual Conference by making loans and grants throughout the year. We do this in order to assist churches with facility improvements, along with empowering them to begin new ministries and for continuation of fruitful existing ministries, as they seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Parish Development: Our Guidelines “The Commission”, which usually meets four times a year, has 10 at large members elected to 2-year terms with a 6-year maximum. It also includes chairs of all the District Parish Development Committees, all District Superintendents, the Director of Connectional Ministries, the Director of Congregational Development & Revitalization, the Conference CFO, representatives from the Council on Finance & Administration, the United Methodist City Society, the Commission on Equitable Compensation, and Ethnic caucuses.
Parish Development: Our Guidelines (continued) The Commission has the following functions: (1) Making the determination annually for ministry and mission grants (including those requests for Missional Priorities), (2) Making loans and grants for capital projects out of the Conference revolving loan fund; (3) Developing and implementing plans to redeploy funds from the sale of discontinued churches, and 4) Taking on other responsibilities as defined by the Conference and the committee.
Types of Requests (1) REVOLVING LOAN FUND: This fund is used to make loans and grants to churches in need of capital repairs and improvements. The maximum loan/grant value is typically $50,000 with the grant representing about 8-10% of the total. The interest rate is 6% and the term of loan is based on the amount requested (5-10 years).
Types of Requests (2) MISSION FUNDS: This fund is used to make ministry and mission grants to local churches and other related entitles. The committee reviews requests from each District, the Cabinet and the United Methodist City Society and tries to fairly distribute the available funds at our November meeting. The funds awarded are disturbed on a quarterly basis in the following year.
Types of Requests (3) DISTRICT CAPITAL & MINISTRY NEEDS FUND: This fund is used for capital or ministry needs with special consideration given to the District from which the funds arose through the sale of a discontinued church. District Capital Grants are to be used for special capital projects. Congregations must have significant personal investment in the projects, such as “sweat equity” or matching funds.
Types of Requests (4) DISTRICT CAPITAL & MINISTRY NEEDS FUND: Ministry Needs Grants are to be used for special ministry program or project needs. Congregations must have significant personal investment in the ministry program or project, such as, “sweat equity” or matching funds. NOTE: District Capital & Ministry Needs Fund are new opportunities available to assist churches to do vital and effective ministries.
When are the Proposals reviewed? Proposals may be submitted to the District Parish Development Chair at any time. The District as well as the Conference Committees meet 3 times a year; spring, fall, and after Annual Conference(in June) . All proposals are first reviewed by the District Parish Development Committee. This is to insure that all information needed is attached . Final review and approval is by Conference Parish Development.
Criteria Can your church answer “yes” to any (or all) of these questions? Will this contribute to the mission and ministry of your church? Will this foster an environment to make disciples of Jesus Christ? Will this attract people to your church and its missions? Have apportionments being paid over last 5 years?
After the application is submitted: District Committee (pastors and laity) will review the application. Application that are approved will be forwarded to the Cabinet and Conference PD Committee for approval. Approval will result in: Quarterly payments for Mission Grants Scheduled payments for District Capital and Ministry Needs Grants Loan funds sent when approved
After Application is submitted: (continued) Site visits are a part of the process for Mission Grants, District Capital and Ministry Needs Grants. The program will be observed by representatives of the District Parish Development Committee Annual reports and evaluations are required for all grants.
Parish Development
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