INDIANA CONFERENCE ADVANCE

What is a Conference Advance project?

According to paragraph 655 in the 2012 Book of Discipline, 

Conference Advance Specials must be United Methodist or a partner with the United Methodist Church (UMC) and be in agreement with the following tenets of The United Methodist Church. These are the tenants of The UMC. Are you achieving/accomplishing these tenets and how? 

1. Develop principled Christian leaders for the church and the world
2. Create new places for new people and renew existing congregations
3. Engage in ministry with the poor
4. Stamp out killer diseases of poverty by improving health globally

 

Who can apply? 

Conference Advance projects, by Discipline, are projects located within the bounds of the Annual Conference or the Episcopal Area and must have a regional, national, or global appeal. Ministry may be done beyond the bounds of the conference, but the project's fiscal agency must reside within these bounds. Conference Advance organizations must have a statewide focus reaching across the state of Indiana. Agencies and Ministries that have a local ministry may apply for District Advance Special status. 

Organizations must have 501(c)3 status to be accepted as an Advance project. This could include organizations that operate from within a 501(c)3 organization, such as a church. All finances must be handled by the organization with the non-profit status. 

 

What are the benefits of being a Conference Advance project? 

Having Annual Conference Advance Special status permits an agency or ministry to solicit donations from all churches in the Conference. These ministries will be highlighted and promoted by Diversity, Missions, and Justice. Without Conference Advance Special status, this type of fundraising is not allowed. Approval of Advance Specials remains active during the quadrennium in which the project was approved. 

Agencies are asked to set fiscal goals per year for the active period of the covenant. It is not budgeted by the Conference. This amount raised depends on "second-mile" giving by churches or individuals. Conference Advance Specials are not part of the Tithe or any budget within Indiana Conference. 

How do I apply?

Agencies/ministries must apply for Conference Advance status by completing the Application Form and Covenant (attached) through Jotform. Ministries will receive an official notice of acceptance. Applications for new Conference Advance projects will be accepted throughout the year. 

 

How do churches and individuals give to my organization through the Advance?

Numbers will not be assigned to Indiana Conference Advance projects. They will be designated by their agency/ministry name only. The General Advance assigns numbers to each Advance Special, which are approved by the General Board of Global Ministries. This is a different application process and the two should not be confused. Agencies and ministries within the Conference can apply and obtain Advance status at either or both levels. 

Gifts may be submitted to the Conference using the tithe form. This form is used by local churches and can be found at www.inumc.org under Finance>Financial Forms. Churches need to be sure to include the name of your organization along with the gift. Giving using the tithe form gives your local church credit for the gift. Individuals may also give online at www.inumc.org, however, credit will not be given to the local church. 

 

What else do I need to know?

All approved advances will be asked to complete a simple evaluation in October of each calendar year. Failure to complete the evaluation report may result in being removed from the list of Conference Advance Projects. 

Whereas many of our churches want an opportunity to participate and support the agency/ministry through "second-mile" giving, and

Whereas the agency/ministry understands that being a Conference Advance organization only authorizes churches to designate "second-mile" giving to the agency/ministry and does not guarantee funding, but depends on the fundraising efforts of the agency/ministry. 

The agency/ministry agrees that it is responsible for raising funds by putting in the effort necessary to raise funds for its program so churches become aware of the agency/ministry and its programs and are encouraged to provide support through "second-mile" giving. 

The Diversity, Missions, and Justice agrees to enable the agency/ministry to solicit donations from the Conference churches by providing Advance status through the Annual Conference action as recognition of the agency/ministry's importance. As an Advance organization, the Conference will list the agency/ministry, a description of its ministry, and the agency/ministry contact information in an Advance booklet, listing on the Conference and District website and virtual communication. This will enable local churches to receive mission giving credit for their "second-mile" giving, thus encouraging the local churches to support the agency/ministry. 

All approved advances will be asked to complete a simple evaluation in October of each calendar year. Failure to complete the evaluation report may result in being removed from the list of Conference Advance Projects. 

An INUMC representative will sign and return a copy of the covenant to the approved agency representative.