CORE Ministry Fund
The Manual on CORE Giving
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We are a connectional family of faith. From our beginnings, we believed in being a connected people who share resources in order to do what God has called us to do in Canada and beyond. By our working – and giving – together, we are able to accomplish far more than we could ever do apart. We believe that we are better together.
375.3 POLICIES GUIDING FMC MINISTRY FUND GIVING
Tithing as a fundamental principle should be understood by the leadership of a core group of a new congregation (church plant) and affiliated church at its formation or in the case of an affiliated church, at the negotiation stage for affiliation. If the infant/child analogy to tithing is applied, parents assume the full responsibility of the child’s support. Where tithing is taught as a household principle, children are encouraged to tithe on their allowance, and as they get older, on their part-time and summer jobs. Only when children assume full responsibility for their living expenses do they begin to tithe on their full income. In the case of local churches, this applies to the operations budget (see 440.2.2 of the Manual).
375.3.1 New Congregation (Church Plant) Projects
Church plants are at the infancy stage of their life, being provided for by a “parent” church, whether a local church, a network of churches, or the conference. Fiscal accountabilities are overseen by the sponsoring church(es) who birthed the project. Provided the principle is understood as a value of the organization and expected with maturity, new congregations are not expected to tithe to our collective Ministry Fund or give to our designated giving program. At this stage they are in fact a recipient of the system rather than a contributor to it.
375.3.2 Churches in Affiliate Status
In both cases, these churches have been approved by Canada Revenue Agency as a charitable organization under the terms of the Income Tax Act and have demonstrated the appropriate signs of viability. In harmony with the expectations of paragraphs 305.5.6 and 306.6 of The Manual, the church will demonstrate “an attitude of intention” by moving toward 5% of its general budget receipts (only those receipts coming from parishioners) to The Free Methodist Church in Canada Core ministries program, beginning the first month after it becomes a fellowship or an affiliated organization. This remains consistent with the parent/child analogy above, where young children are only expected to tithe on the income that they earn themselves, not on the other perks or benefits they receive for being part of that family. Therefore churches are not be expected to tithe on grants, subsidy or gifts that come from FMC Designated Giving Funds, parent churches or otherwise. Prior to applying for society status, a church with affiliate status should be moving toward the 10% participation level and be moving toward full independence from denominational subsidy.
375.3.3 Churches Applying for Society Status
When a church applies for society status, there is an expectation that it be within the 5- 10% payment of Core from its full operational budget as described in Par 440.2 of The Manual.
Unless an affiliate has demonstrated faithful support of Core within this range for six months or more, it will not be considered for society status. Churches that are accepted as societies will need to project full participation to tithe at the full 10% of their operations budget. The church will also need to pledge some interest in supporting denominational Giving Funds (Scolarships, Global Missions & ICCM) in their budgeting process. Both of these intentions will be based on a covenant of good faith with the denomination.
375.3.4 Churches Experiencing Financial Challenges
Asking for a Period of Grace Paying pastors and keeping the lights on should always remain the first priority. However, rather than fully omitting the payment of the tithe from a church budget, a board should first strive to send a reduced percentage (e.g. 8, 6 or 4%) and communicate this adjustment to the Management Committee of the BOA, through Senior Director of Operations, with a clear recognition that this decrease is for a time. When this communication is sent, the board should also include goals for how long a period will be required before returning to the full tithe. The plan can propose stages for increasing the percentage within a set timeline. This period of grace should never exceed two years. In extreme circumstances, the church may need to completely halt all payment of the tithe to the national church. If a church remains in this state for the duration of a full year, the National Leadership Team will intervene and see what can be done regarding the church’s viability.
Churches intending to plant new churches are normally expected to be giving a minimum of 5% to the CORE ministries budget prior to launching a new church.
374.4. Policies Guiding Healthy House Church Relationships within the FMCiC
Accountability of Funds
House Church leaders will be self-supporting and unpaid. From time to time, some financial support may be given to leaders of networks for their time and any costs associated with regional training and networking. For this reason, the gathering and dispersing of donations happens primarily on a house church network level. It is on this level that the appropriate charity status is applied. Like any other Free Methodist society, it is also from this house church network that any financial support is given to the FMCiC.
440 FUNDING
- The finances for operating the ministries of the Canadian General Conference shall be provided for through our FMC Ministry Fund and the designated giving funds for Scholarships, Global Missions, ICCM Sponsorships and the Bishop’s Relief Fund Policies related to these programs are found in 375.3.
- FMC Ministry Fund
2.1 The FMC Ministry Fund shall provide for the financing of the general operating needs of the general conference and the Corporation of The Free Methodist Church in Canada.
2.2 Each local society in The Free Methodist Church in Canada shall contribute a tithe (10%) of its general operating income to the support of the Core Ministry program. For this purpose (only) the general operating income is defined to include all donations to the local society, LESS funds raised for:
- Scholarships and Global Missions
- Special short-term fund-raising programs for local church projects (such as campaigns for building programs or debt reduction).
- Funds raised for special ministry programs outside of the local church (such as funds raised for the Tear Fund, and funds transferred to other Christian organizations).
- Bequests.
- Grants Received (as they are designated funds).
3. FMC Designated Giving Funds
3.2 Financial support for our designated Giving Funds shall be raised through voluntary free-will donations made by the individual members and adherents of local churches in Canada.
3.3 Our Giving Together model will be promoted through the communications department.
801 ADVICE TO THE MINISTER
2 Professional Life
Leading through Leaders
Cooperate with those in authority over you. Model loyalty to your denomination. See that requested reports are sent promptly. Use denominational resources. Participate in the support of our FMC Ministry Fund ministries and promote our Global Missions Fund, Scholarship Fund and ICCM Sponsorship as well as and other general church ministries.
Support
The Operations Team is here to be of service to you – our churches, pastors and ministries. Exploring financial options, or operational solutions? We can help you with all things finance and operation but also help with connecting with all our ministry departments.
Not sure who to contact?
For payroll matters, including Pension and Benefits – email payroll@fmcic.ca
For finance matters – email finance@fmcic.ca
For all other matters… Simply send your question/request to support@fmcic.ca.
Or if you prefer to call,
you can reach us at 905-848-2600 (press ‘0’).
We will make sure your call/message goes to the right person/ministry who can help.
