Conference Takes Action to Cope with Economic Shortfall

Written: 1/9/2009

Conference takes action to cope

with potential economic shortfall

The Conference Council on Finance & Administration met in called session Dec. 11 to consider the possible impact the current financial situation might have on the Central Texas Conference connectional giving program and the Conference budget for 2009.

Following that meeting a statement was issued jointly by Rev. Harvey, director of Stewardship, Finance & Administration, and Rev. John McKellar, chair of the Conference Council on Finance & Administration.

Because of the current economic uncertainty and the very real possibility that our churches may not be able to meet their apportionment obligations, they said, the Finance & Administration Office has already identified $149,000 in the 2009 budget that will not be spent.

CFA is also announcing a 90 percent spending plan for the 2009 budget. Historically, the conference receives a little over one third of annual receipts by June. December’s receipts can be as much as 25 percent to 30 percent of the total budget.

For that reason, it is impossible to have any realistic idea of how much shortfall to expect until the last half of the year.

For spending cuts to reach the desired levels, according to CF&A they must begin Jan. 1. CF&A will closely monitor spending all during the year. If the pattern is better than expected, then the 10 percent spending cut could be eased.

On the other hand, if giving falls significantly below expectations, CF&A will mandate even further cuts. For that reason, each recipient of conference budget funds must begin immediately to implement the 90 percent spending plan, but also develop an emergency plan if further cuts are necessary.

“We trust that these actions will be temporary as we live out Jesus’ call to be faithful,” the two men said in their statement.

The congregations of the Central Texas Conference are known for generosity, good deeds and love of God not only in good times but also when times are tough, they said.

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