Ministry Shares
How are ministry shares calculated?
Ministry shares are calculated for your local church based on something called a Grade Figure System (GFS).
A GFS allows the Ministry Shares for your local church to be calculated based upon the financial relationship of your local church to all the other churches in the Conference.
The GFS calculation is based upon a rolling four-year average of your church’s reported annual operating expenses plus any non-United Methodist benevolences that are paid. There are many other factors that go into calculating this number which can be rather complex.
You can read how they are determined by reading these 2024-2025 CFA Policies or ask your church treasurer to explain how your Ministry Shares were calculated.
2027 Ministry Shares >>>
2026 Ministry Shares >>>
Church Grants and Loans
The Emerging Ministries Grant provides seed money for new ministries which will be on going (as opposed to one-time) projects. An Emerging Ministries Project can receive support for up to three years. Possible uses might include program and or material resources, staff funding, administrative expenses. Maximum grant available per project shall be $1500. This grant is funded through the Northern Skies District. Download a grant application.
Creative Ministry Grant provides incentive to encourage new creative ministries of outreach and program development which might otherwise not be possible because of local budgetary consideration. This grant is funded by the Northern Skies District. Download a grant application.
Loans from District Leadership Team: One of the functions of the Northern Skies District Leadership Team is “to operate as a lending agency for the financing of church property” (By-laws: article III, section 3). Presently the board has a maximum loan request cap of $20,000. The board wants to be in ministry to all United Methodist churches in the Northern Skies District and to help meet needs and emergencies. Download a loan application.