The ministries of the United Methodist Church are supported financially through apportioned funds, a method of giving that proportionally allocates the churchwide budget to conferences and local churches. The Dakotas Conference paid the total bill or 100% of General Church apportioned funds in 2015.

For United Methodists this method of giving has become a strong, generous tradition. One of the unique and defining factors of the United Methodist Church is that we are Connectional. Apportioned giving is a term which describes how the money you give to your church each week is divided and distributed throughout the United Methodist Church.

“Another sign of the Holy Spirit breaking through in the Dakotas: the Dakotas Conference was able to pay our General Church Apportionments in full for the first time since 2007,” said Jeff Pospisil, Dakotas Conference Treasurer. “Praise the Lord for this, and thank you to all of our churches that have given so generously.”

In 2015, 95.4% of the Dakotas Conference churches gave towards the 16% apportionment requested. This represents an increase from 2014, when 95.1% churches contributed apportioned funds. In total, $3,840,085 was given as of January 31, 2016. The figure is a $3,023 increase from the 2014-year. “We have received word from a handful of churches that are still planning one last gift towards apportionments (approximately $50,000 in total),” said Pospisil. “Also, churches were able to pay 99.7% of their Pension and HealthFlex Direct Bills.” 

In 2007, the Dakotas Conference paid General Church in full, however, the final payment was six months late so the official record does not reflect 100 % payment. When was the last time on record the Dakotas Conference paid General Church Apportionments on-time and in-full? The General Church didn’t have that information readily available because their electronic records only go back to 1998.

Where do General Church apportioned funds go?

Through apportioned giving, the ministry and mission of the United Methodist Church are funded, both locally and around the world . In this way, each individual, each family, each congregation gives a fair share for the church's work. The combined prayers, presence, gifts and service make a significant difference in the lives of God's people.

Apportionments support global efforts of the church through these seven general funds within The United Methodist Church:

World Service Fund

The World Service Fund is the essential core of our global outreach ministry, underwriting Christian mission around the world. By giving to World Service we empower United Methodist evangelistic efforts…stimulate Bible study and spiritual commitment…encourage church growth and discipleship…and help God’s children everywhere. More

Ministerial Education Fund

Men and women choose the ministry because God calls them. The Ministerial Education Fund is our way of helping them answer that divine call. Our United Methodist seminaries lead the effort to proclaim God’s word in a world desperately in need of that message. More

Episcopal Fund

Bishops have always had a very special role in our church…elected and consecrated to speak to the church…and from the church. The apostle Paul called it “a noble task,” but it is practical, too, since our bishops oversee and promote the church’s spiritual and temporal interests as well. More

Black College Fund

The 11 U.S. historically Black colleges and universities supported by The United Methodist Church have played a unique role in U.S. higher education. Their graduates—teachers and doctors, ministers and bishops, judges, artists and entrepreneurs—are leaders in the African-American community and in a rapidly changing, more diverse United States. More

Interdenominational Cooperation Fund

We United Methodists acknowledge that we are but a small part of the worldwide Christian church—the living body of Jesus Christ. Our unity with other Christian communions is affirmed as we witness to a common Christian faith, meet human suffering and advocate for peace and justice all over the world. More

Africa University Fund

This vital fund supports the only United Methodist-related, degree-granting university on the continent of Africa—serving students from 21 countries, all across the continent of Africa. Africa University provides higher education of excellent quality, enriched with Christian values, for both men and women, developing visionary leaders of tomorrow. More

General Administration Fund

This fund underwrites and finances general church activities that are administrative in nature, rather than program-related—like General Conference, the legislative branch of the church. General Council on Finance and Administration coordinates and administers the finances of the church, receives, disburses and accounts for the church’s general funds, safeguards the denomination’s legal interests and rights, compiles and publishes denominational statistics and maintains the church’s records. More

The Dakotas Conference is grateful for the generous giving of all of the churches throughout North and South Dakota.  Click here to see a detailed listing of apportionment giving throughout the conference.

“I am thankful for faithful, generous giving all of our churches. I want to highlight Burke, Martin, Sioux Falls Southern Hills, and Woonsocket. These congregations went from not being able to give anything in 2014 to contributing in 2015,” said Pospisil. “I praise the Lord for the churches that are prospering, I encourage you to continue to pray for the churches that are struggling financially.”