CFA Letter

Letter from Council on Finance and Administration

Dear North Georgia United Methodist,

The Cabinet and the Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) are keenly aware of the economic issues this country is facing and the impact it is having on many of our local congregations.

We want to acknowledge the hard and sacrificial work being done by all of our congregations to be faithful in maintaining critical ministries to their communities while also working to pay their 2008 apportionments.  We have 312 churches which have struggled creatively and sacrificially and have paid 100% of their apportionments this year.  Many others among you are on track to do the same and we understand how challenging that is. 

We want to assure you there are also measures being implemented at the Conference level to address the demanding financial circumstances. Two brief examples are:

1.  Last month, the Cabinet voted to freeze its 2009 salaries at the 2008 level. This is the second time in the last three years that the Cabinet has taken this action. We commend and appreciate their leadership and witness in these challenging economic times.

2.  The program directors have been working since September to reduce expenditures for the remainder of 2008 and are taking measures to curtail all non-essential spending and focus on low and no cost creative ministries to trim spending for 2009.

We have received questions about reducing the 2009 apportionments. We are prohibited from changing apportionments for the 2009 budget without an expensive specially called session of Annual Conference. 

While we are constantly exploring ways to more efficiently manage the fiscal affairs of the Conference; we are being most meticulous as we move through the remainder of this year and into the next.  As always, we covet your prayers and welcome your ideas and feedback, as we seek to serve Christ together through the United Methodist Church.

In His name,

Hank Huckaby,
Chair,
Conference Council on Finance and Administration

Steve Wood,
Vice Chair,
Conference Council on Finance and Administration