LEESBURG — After more than six hours of sometimes heated debate, more than 1,000 delegates to the special called session of the Dare to Share Jesus 2000 Florida Annual Conference Event held here Oct. 5 passed 10 of 13 recommendations presented by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A). Delegates also passed an amended 2001 budget that is nearly $240,000 less than the budget presented at the May 30-June 2 conference session.

While six of CF&A’s recommendations passed without discussion, several generated passionate debate.

The recommendation to create a new apportionment category called Clergy Support raised concerns that the conference was creating a potential conflict between large- and small-membership churches. It passed, but with an amendment by Clarke Campbell-Evans, superintendent of the Miami District.

The original recommendation called for a new apportionment category that would include line items benefiting active and retired clergy. Costs for items that benefit all churches, such as having district superintendents and the Board of Ordained Ministry, would account for a little more than 46 percent of the new apportionment and be supported by all churches based on the fair share apportionment formula.

The remaining amount, almost 54 percent, would include costs related to clergy benefits and be supported only by churches with full-time clergy based on the salary each church pays its clergy.

The recommendation also advocated carrying over any portions not paid by a local church to the next year.

Campbell-Evans proposed an amendment supporting a new category that would carry over when not paid, but not the division of costs based on how churches benefit from the items listed in the category or on the percentages suggested.

Campbell-Evans said the fair share formula used to tabulate other apportionments should be used for Clergy Support. That formula assigns a portion of the conference’s total budget to each church based on the church’s annual budget and compared to every other church’s budget. Items considered in the fair share formula include clergy salaries, staff compensation, and current program and operating expenses.

The recommendation made by CF&A was unfair because it "shifts the burden from larger churches to smaller churches," Campbell-Evans said. "Small churches aren’t dysfunctional, they’re just small."

Thanking large churches for their "faithful support of the connectional system," Campbell-Evans said, "some parts of the body provide more nourishment than other parts."

Dr. Randy Casey-Rutland, elected conference treasurer at the session, said churches with clergy at or near the minimum salary would see the largest increase in their apportionments if the recommendation passed. "Larger churches where clergy compensation is a smaller percentage of the budget would see a reduction in their apportionment," he said.

The Rev. Jim Harnish, pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, said he supported the idea of "clarifying those things that are directly related to support of clergy…and helping us become focused on things that support congregations and those that support mission," but was concerned about the potential impact on different sized churches.

"I’m deeply anxious that this custom is being set, pitting small churches against large," he said.

Casey-Rutland said the amendment would cause a "small reduction" in the apportionments paid by churches with full-time clergy. Churches with clergy not employed full-time would see a minor increase in their apportionments.

After a recount, Campbell-Evans’ amendment passed in a close vote. In a subsequent vote the amended recommendation also passed.

Debate continued when the Rev. Jim Rosenburg of George Young Memorial United Methodist Church in Palm Harbor proposed removing the $450,000 apportionment shortfall from the budget. That amendment passed.

"It’s unfair for churches that pay 100 percent to pay an additional amount to compensate for those not paying their apportionments," he said.

The Rev. Jack Stephenson, pastor of Anona United Methodist Church in Largo, said he supported the amendment because his church is "100 percent and…proud to do so," while he sees other churches that are not paying their full apportionments hiring staff and spending money in other ways.

"If I have to go back and ask my people to pay more, their faithfulness will be broken down," he said.

Other budget amendments included adding $67,250 to pay for the 2001 Florida Annual Conference Event after delegates voted against CF&A’s recommendation to charge a registration fee, and adding $25,000 to pay for a study determining the viability of the conference print shop after delegates voted not to close it. A committee appointed by Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson will conduct the study and report at the next conference session.

A recommendation to add $250,000 and create a capital reserve fund for current or future capital improvements to conference property also passed.

After much discussion about its financial and health care impact, delegates approved a proposal eliminating the 22 percent subsidy the conference pays local churches for clergy health insurance. The proposal also required every church with active, appointed, itinerant clergy to participate in the conference health insurance plan and pay a blended rate based on the premiums for all base plans. Beginning Jan. 1, 2001, all churches with full-time clergy will pay approximately $540 per month, per full-time clergy, for the conference insurance plan.

The Rev. David Dodge, executive director of the Board of Ordained Ministry, said clergy not in the plan could join during open elections beginning in November. He also said that $75,000 was added to the 2001 Equitable Compensation budget to help churches experiencing financial difficulties pay for their clergy’s health insurance.

Delegates did not approve a recommendation to hold a special one-day session of the annual conference in the fall of 2001 to consider the 2002 budget.