Apportionment giving by South Carolina United Methodists exceeded 90 percent for the fourth consecutive year in 2018 – the best run in giving in more than 15 years.
While the 2018 rate of 90.9 percent was down from 92.34 percent in 2017 – and short of the conference’s goal of 94 percent – leaders are grateful for the support, especially within the context of the often divisive debate over human sexuality leading up to the 2019 General Conference next month.
“It is truly a blessing that the people of the South Carolina Conference have come together to affirm the mission and ministries of our church in such a significant way,” Resident Bishop L. Jonathan Holston said. “In this season, we remind ourselves that the point of our giving is never the money – it is about doing together what no individual, congregation, district, or conference can do alone.
“This year we celebrate 90.9 percent in our apportionment giving. This is a tremendous effort achieved in the midst of uncertain times and competing voices. Indeed, we celebrate!”
Conference Treasurer Beth Westbury shared highlights of 2018 apportionment giving:
- 80 percent of the 977 churches that received apportionment requests from the conference paid 100 percent (781 churches paid fully in 2018, compared to 800 in 2017).
- The Walterboro District had the highest giving rate (97.5 percent), followed by the Columbia District (94.5 percent), the Spartanburg District (94.3 percent) and the Orangeburg District (94 percent).
- The Rock Hill District had the highest percentage of churches giving 100 percent (92.7 percent), followed by the Walterboro District (91.4 percent), the Orangeburg District (89 percent), and the Columbia District (84.6 percent).
- Camps and Retreats Ministries was the highest earner (93.3 percent), while General Conference Administration was the lowest (88.9 percent).
- Two Rivers Cainhoy, a new church start in the Charleston District, contributed toward apportionments, even though new church starts are not asked to pay apportionments.
“I want to thank our churches for their amazing generosity,” Westbury said. “They recognize that we can do more together than we can do alone, and I feel certain we will continue to work together and grow in our stewardship of God’s blessings.”
The goal for 2019 apportionment giving will remain at 94 percent, she said.
Other details from the 2018 apportionment report
- 104 churches increased giving in 2018, compared to 2017, based on percentage of apportionment paid.
- 117 churches decreased giving in 2018, compared to 2017, based on percentage of apportionment paid.
- 24 churches did not pay any apportionments, but some of those had been closed after already having received a 2018 apportionment request.
