Dear Friends in Christ,
As summer draws to a close, I pray you have all found time for rest and renewal. As you begin to prepare for church conference season and work on your 2023 budget, below is some important information and guidance to use:
2023 Shared Ministry
Per the legislation passed at the May 2022 Annual Conference, 2023 Shared Ministry will be calculated on the average from 2019 and 2021 statistical reports data at a rate of 15.3%. The GNJ shared ministry rate remained the same as in 2022 at 12.3%, while the general church rate increased to 3.0% (vs. 2.9% in 2022). You can find your 2023 Shared Ministry apportionment here.
2023 Healthcare blended rate will be $20,500 per individual insured (vs. $18,000 in 2022). The increase is due to a 12% increase in the conference premiums. It is important to note that the 2023 rate includes an average subsidy of $1,900 per full-time insured, which will expire in 2024.
Property Insurance and Workers Compensation: For budgeting purposes, churches should assume an increase of 15% over 2022 billings (2022 billing amount times 1.15). This guidance is provided by Sovereign and is consistent with the overall conference budget assumptions.
Clergy pension and insurance related as a % of salary remain the same as 2022:
- Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) at 14.0%
- Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) at 3.4%
- UMLife Options at 2.2% for half-time clergy
- UMPIP at 14.0% for quarter-time clergy
Contribution to the Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy settlement. While the courts have not finalized the settlement, the GNJ Annual Conference did pass legislation at the May 2022 Annual Conference Session approving the methodology of allocating a portion of this settlement to the local churches over three years. For 2023 budgeting purposes, we recommend assuming $340 ($1,020 over three years) for each $15,000 in shared ministry apportionment (this is guidance only and subject to change). For example:
- If your shared ministry apportionment is $15,000, assume $340
- If your shared ministry apportionment is $30,000, assume $680
- If your shared ministry apportionment is $7,500, assume $170
If you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to reach out to me or my team as follows:
- Shared Ministry Questions: James Mulligan
- Insurance/Pension questions: Alexa Taylor or Veronika Varga
Enjoy the rest of the summer!