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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
April 2002 |
UMC: A 'freedom of information' church
Dear Ed and Susan,
I have been a member of the Methodist Church for over 50 years and I have never seen or known how to obtain a detailed copy of the Cabinet's budget showing salaries of the bishop, district superintendents, fringe benefits, etc. Why isn't this published in the Hoosier UM News, or is it available to church members?
Just Wondering
Dear JW,
There are simple as well as complex answers to your questions. We United Methodists really like to make things complicated. Let's answer the simple ones first.
The salaries and benefits for all the district superintendents are listed every year in the Conference Journal. You will find the salaries and benefits of all clergy there as well. Conference Journals carry all the proceedings of each Annual Conference session.
Every local church has at least one lay member of the Annual Conference who attends all the sessions, votes on all actions and receives a copy of the Conference Journal. In addition, your pastor has a copy.
Compensation for bishops is set every four years by the General Conference. This information is contained in the Book of Discipline for the year in question.
Now, the complex answers. We're concerned that you have been a Methodist for over 50 years, and don't know how to get this information. It is our hope that the workings of our Church be open and free to anyone.
So, ask, and you shall receive. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. If you don't know something, ask your pastor, district superintendent or lay member to Annual Conference. Keep digging until you get the information you need.
What may look complicated really isn't. Only in an open church can we feel free and safe to grow, as God wants us to grow.
As to why the information is not published in the Hoosier UM News, we'll leave that to the editors.
Yours in truth and grace,
Susan and Ed AlleyLetters may be sent to the Alleys at the Kairos Center for the Family, 4337 Kessler Blvd. N. Drive, Indianapolis, Ind. 46228. E-mail: eskairos@aol.com.
Last updated on 01/14/2004