The Episcopal Fund supports the work of the UM Bishops?
Your bishop, and others around the globe, are hard at work for The United Methodist Church. Bishops prayerfully determine pastoral appointments. They counsel with pastors and encourage congregations. Our bishops not only lead in the connectional ministry of the church, but you will also find them on the forefront of world issues encouraging secular leaders to incorporate faith into their decision making. This fund supports salaries, benefits and expenses. The Episcopal Fund is what supports our bishops as they support The United Methodist Church.
ABOUT THE EPISCOPAL FUND (EF)
Bishops have always had a very special role in our church, elected and consecrated to speak to the church and from the church. The Episcopal Fund pays for the expenses of active bishops and for the support of retired bishops and spouses. Whether presiding over annual conference sessions, surveying disaster damage, meeting with district leaders or planting a tree, bishops accept what the apostle Paul called "a noble task" (1 Timothy 3:1). It is practical as well since our bishops are responsible for the oversight and promotion of both the temporal and spiritual interests of the church. This fund was one of the three general apportioned funds which were part of the financial plan of the Methodist Church from the time of its unification in 1939. Your support, through your congregation's faithful giving, is what makes the shepherding ministry of our bishops possible. Today the bishops of The United Methodist Church are providing spiritual leadership to more than 12.4 million persons in a broad range of settings on four continents, including North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
