News/Publications
News/Publications
Apportionment support gains in 2011
2/11/2011
By Holly McCray
What happens to a one-dollar bill after it goes into the offering plate at your church? Most of the money directly supports the work of your church. Of that $1, a total of 16 cents is forwarded as Apportionment giving, explained Treasurer Brian Bakeman.
In 2010, Oklahomans contributed $15,272,755 to the Apportionment, Rev. Bakeman reported on Jan. 26 to the Council on Finance & Administration (CF&A).
...Church giving improves in first quarter of 2010
4/23/2010
Through March, Oklahomans had donated $395,056 to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for Haiti earthquake relief. Other gifts of $13,005 went to One Great Hour of Sharing, the annual special offering to meet UMCOR administrative costs.
—Conference Treasurer’s Office
...Funding OK'd for 5 new churches
2/19/2010
By Holly McCray
The Council on Finance & Administration (CF&A) has voted to allocate money to help start five new churches in Oklahoma—and the sooner they launch, the better.
The unexpected decision came during the group’s first meeting of the year, on Jan. 26 in Oklahoma City.
The session began with an end-of-year Conference budget assessment by Treasurer Brian Bakeman. He reported total Apportionment...2009 clergy tax information
2/19/2010
...Financial leaders get updates
10/23/2009
Advice to combat fraud and embezzelment
Losses totaled more than $600,000 when funds were embezzled from a church in Arkansas during a period of four and one-half years. Most of the money was spent at a large-chain discount store, a grocery,...New handbook is free resource
10/23/2009
Free copies of "The United Methodist Handbook," 2009-12 edition, are now available.
The 48-page publication offers comprehensive information about The United Methodist Church and the ways it lives out its global mission. The handbook is a product of United Methodist Communications, which is the denomination’s media agency, based in Nashville.
The handbook has detailed maps of central and jurisdictional...2 groups begin work: Corporate board links ministries, administration
10/23/2009
The corporate board of the Oklahoma Conference is led by two lay members and two clergy. From left are Rev. Joe Harris of Oklahoma City, secretary; John Ray Green of Duncan, vice president; Herschel Beard of Madill, chairman; and Rev. Brian Bakeman of Oklahoma City, treasurer.
...Focus on finance: Event helps church leaders see beyond budgets
9/11/2009
By David Stewart, Pastor, Bartlesville-Oak Park UMC
Stewardship is everything we do after we say, "I believe."
In light of our current national economy, a financial workshop hosted by the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, Aug. 28 at OKC-Chapel Hill, provided helpful resources useful to every pastor and church.
Stewardship Focus Day highlighted the importance of giving in a way that moves beyond...Special Days gain support
4/3/2009
Oklahoma United Methodists increased their giving on Special Days to a total of $96,409.58 in 2008, according to Conference Treasurer Brian Bakeman.
Compared to 2007, such donations increased by $15,218.55, according to a report by Rev. Bakeman in a recent edition of Treasury Notes.
"These special offerings are over and above what people give to the budgets and show that, when given the opportunity, people give to special...2008 statistical report released
4/3/2009
Conference statistician Kenneth Smith compiled these totals from the reports by churches of the Oklahoma Conference in 2008.
The report states 5,900 new members were received by churches in 2008. However, statistical totals in four key areas showed decreases when compared to those of 2007.
? Average worship attendance: 58,374 people, a decrease of 677 from the previous year.
? Average church school attendance: 31,492 people, a...Event to assist clergy with money matters
10/3/2008
Financial planning for clergy will be offered at the "Clergy Benefit Essentials Retreat" on Nov. 6-7 at Canyon Camp’s Hardt Lodge.
The event is planned in two tracks, to focus on money issues for two distinct groups of pastors. Track 1 is designed for new clergy and those in mid-career. Track 2 is for clergy considering retirement within five years.
Pre-registration is required. Cost is $56 per clergy member and $10 for spouses.
Contact Tiara Dalton, 405-530-2063,...From the treasurer’s office: Church safety advice is online
9/5/2008
Conference Treasurer Brian Bakeman reported three new memos about church property protection are now available online.
Topics are:
The importance of obtaining certificates of insurance from contractors that perform work on your church and from outside groups that use your facilities.
Understanding third-party risk when contractors work on your facilities.
Understanding risk management for local churches.
The memos were issued by PACT, the denomination’s Property and...