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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
November 2002 |
Letter spotlight:
'Full and faithful payment' part of our sacred covenant
By Jack K. Thomas
Layperson Neal Thomas' thoughtful, "In Protest of Non-payment of Apportionments" (9/02 HUM) spoke to me; his politically incorrect -- albeit prophetic -- words, " resent" (churches who) "shirk" (their responsibility so that we must) "subsidize them," grabbed my attention.
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Each of us may have personal calls to witness and discipleship, but we carry them out in a collegial setting as part of a larger connection. |
I am an Elder (North Indiana), ordained in 1955, and I write as a pastor. It seems to me that two passages from The Book of Discipline have relevance regarding apportionments. First, in the "Historic Examination for Admission Into Full Connection" (¶ 327) are two important questions: Question 6. "Do you know the General Rules of our Church?" and Question 7. "Will you keep them?" Second, under "Responsibilities and Duties of a Pastor" (¶ 331) one such duty is (2.f), "To lead the congregation in the fulfillment of its mission through full and faithful payment of all apportioned ministerial support, administrative, and benevolent funds (emphasis mine)."
Before we could receive ordination, we told God, the bishop, Conference clergy, lay members and every worshiper that we knew -- the United Methodist rules and that we would keep them! Logic tells me that, among others, this includes ¶ 331 .2.f regarding apportionment payments.
Our theology teaches us that one's experience of God may be personal but is never private; that each of us may have personal calls to witness and discipleship, but we carry them out in a collegial setting as part of a larger connection. For United Methodists that larger connection is our denomination via our conference, with all of its obligations as well as opportunities. In it we are, "... bound in sacred covenant to shoulder the burdens, share the risks, and celebrate the joys of fellow members." (¶ 218, "The Meaning of Membership, Mutual Responsibility") Thus, we are a connectional denomination -- not congregational or independent. It follows that our apportionment system is one aspect of our total connectional nature -- no more, and certainly no less important than other aspects.
I hope that Ministerial Leaders of our conference and pastors in charge of congregations will heed Neal's sincere voice and provide the needed leadership in this arena. Loyalty to our connection is not some quaint, outdated concept. Those of us who are pastors can and should show our own commitment to our connection by leading our local churches in the full payment of apportionments. Unless we do, Neal's church and others who have been faithful in such payment may well begin to figure what their apportionments would be if not inflated to cover those who do not pay, and pay only that lesser amount. That would bring even more shortfalls in many critical areas and chaos to Conference budgeting and bookkeeping.
Neal -- and the many who share his concern -- be patient a little longer and don't give up quite yet. Oh, yes, thanks for raising the issue!
The Rev. Jack K. Thomas is a North Indiana Clergy Member, retired.
Last updated on 01/14/2004