General agencies may participate in the budgets of the cognate divisions and departments of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the World Council of Churches, and other interdenominational ecumenical activities.
Explanation of Items in the Budget
Interpretation Resources (Para.1906.11-.13). United Methodist Communications is allocated the designated sum for the cost of resources in promoting the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund.
General Council on Finance and Administration. The Council reports to and is amenable to the General Conference and is responsible for receiving and distributing general church funds. A portion of the Council's expenses are charged to the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund as provided in ¶906.1d and Report No. 12.
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. This council comprises thirty-three member denominations and communions in the United States representing forty-two million Christians. The allocation provides for United Methodist participation in the basic budget of the Council.
The World Council of Churches. The council, founded in 1948, includes 330 member communions throughout the world representing 450 million Christians. The allocation provides for United Methodist participation in the basic budget of the Council.
Consultation on Church Union. Nine denominations are joined together in the Consultation to seek ways toward greater visible unity among them. Presently, the Consultation seeks a covenant among its member churches involving issues such as mutual recognition of each other's churches, members, clergy, and shared eucharistic fellowship. The allocation provides for United Methodist participation in the basic budget.
Ecumenical Representative Travel. The travel expenses for United Methodist representatives named in advance by the General Conference, the Council of Bishops, or the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns are paid from the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund (¶ 918.2). Costs are paid for travel to the General Board and, as approved by the general secretary of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, other units of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; the Central Committee and other units of the World Council of Churches, including its executive committee and periodic assembly; plenary, executive committee, and special meetings of the Consultation on Church Union, United Methodist participation in concordat relationships and other ecumenical activities and bodies.
Expenses are paid in accordance with guidelines adopted by the General Council on Finance and Administration and shall be limited to round-trip coach airfare and/or other necessary surface transportation from the place of residence of the representative to the place of the meeting, plus food and lodging expense at the meeting. Attendance during three-fourths of the agenda of a meeting shall be required for reimbursement of meeting expenses. Travel expenses shall be paid when approved by the general secretary of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, his or her designee, or by the general secretary of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
Special Ecumenical Needs. Funds will be allocated from the Special Ecumenical Needs line item for the United Methodist commitment for costs of the World Council of Churches Assembly, including travel and related expenses for Christians from third world countries. Funds may be allocated for other special ecumenical needs. Allocations shall be made by the General Council on Finance and Administration after receiving the recommendations of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
Contingency Reserve. This item is established to provide for unforeseen or emergency situations which fall within the scope of the Fund and is allocated by the General Council on Finance and Administration after receiving recommendations from the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
Interdenominational Cooperation Fund Budget
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Prior Claims:
Interpretation Resources $ 47,000 $ 46,000 $ 47,000 $ 49,000 $ 51,000
General Council on Finance
and Administration 32,000 34,000 36,000 37,000 42,000
Total Prior Claims 79,000 80,000 83,000 86,000 93,000
On-Ratio:
National Council of Churches 764,000 774,000 781,000 797,000 817,000
World Council of Churches 402,000 413,000 424,000 434,000 445,000
Consultation on Church Union 47,000 47,000 47,000 47,000 47,000
Approved Travel 174,000 135,000 135,000 135,000 135,000
Special Ecumenical Needs 40,000 40,000 40,000 41,000 42,000
Contingency Reserve 95,000 84,000 85,000 85,000 85,000
Total On-Ratio 1,522,000 1,493,000 1.512,000 1,539,000 1,571,000
Grand Total $1,601,000 $1,573,000 $1,595,000 $1,625,000 $1,664,000
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21117-FA-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference