GC Annual Council: New Mission-Tied Appropriations, Bigger Push for Digital Evangelism

Highlights

1. Mission focus: GC Treasury framed the quinquennium around Strength, Stewardship, and Strategy, urging a shift of resources “from machinery to mission.”

2. Financial snapshot (to Aug 2025): Tithe +3.9%, mission offerings −0.5%; working capital 12.4 months; liquidity 9.5 months.

3. Digital evangelism boost: A special GC Session offering >US$3.8M will fund division-led digital strategies designed so “every click becomes an invitation” linked to local churches.

4. Appropriations redesign: New policy adds a mission-based layer— including a “disciple-making score” (outreach, tithe return, plans)—so higher scores receive higher appropriations.

5. Mission Refocus funding: US$126M earmarked this quinquennium for the 10/40 window, post-Christian, and urban contexts; plus OneVoice27, a US$27M worldwide evangelism initiative set for September 2027.

Silver Spring, Maryland — Oct. 20, 2025. The General Conference (GC) Annual Council received the GC Treasury’s “Integrated for Mission” report with several actions that tighten the link between church funding and frontline mission. Treasurer Paul H. Douglas urged leaders to prioritize strength, stewardship, and strategy—shifting resources “from machinery to mission.”

Key resolutions and appropriations

• Appropriations to be mission-weighted. GC EXCOM affirmed an appropriations framework built on a baseline amount adjusted to each division’s economic size, plus an additional allocation determined by a new “disciple-making score.” The score will consider outreach activity, active tithe return, and concrete disciple-making plans—higher scores unlock higher appropriations. The approach is explicitly designed to “promote mission priorities.”

• 2026 budget signals. Treasury flagged several budgeting factors: removal of the extra 0.85% tithe transfer from the North American Division, tighter operating-expense caps, reduced budgeted tithe, and increases in budgeted offerings and investment earnings. Within allocations, appropriations and auditing services are set to increase, as are GC-administered funds (insurance premiums and continued investment in digital technology).

• Where the GC budget goes. For the coming cycle, 40% of GC allocations target mission strategy and support (the largest share), 31% fund operating expenses, 9% media and publications, 9% leadership development, 8% GC-dependent educational institutions, and 3% other uses.

• Mission Refocus funding. Across the quinquennium, the Council noted US$126 million reserved for mission and outreach in the 10/40 window, post-Christian contexts, and urban centers. Leaders also highlighted OneVoice27, a US$27 million global evangelistic initiative slated for September 2027.

• Digital strategy offering. A special GC Session offering of more than US$3.8 million will fund division-level digital evangelism strategies designed to turn every online interaction into a pathway to local church engagement.

GC President Pr. Erton Köhler, speaking about the OneVoice27 initiative, said, "By mobilizing every available communication platform -social media, television, radio, magazines, books, and other publications, live-streaming- we will unite all channels in an integrated proclamation of the gospel. In September 2027, as we commemorate two thousand years since the baptism of Christ, we want every continent to know more about the Desire of Ages: our Lord Jesus".

Financial picture and governance notes

• Year-to-date results (to Aug. 2025). Tithe up 3.9% year-over-year; mission offerings down 0.5%. Working capital stands at 12.4 months; liquidity at 9.5 months. GC Session 2025 in St. Louis came in US$1.1 million under budget, with 53% of Session spending supporting technology and communications.

• Use of tithe under review. Treasury reported that while 35.7% of tithe globally funds pastors and 29.2% covers operations, the median by division shows operating expenses exceeding pastoral support (39.7% vs. 36.4%)—a trend Treasury will study further.

Why it matters

By formally tying appropriations to measurable disciple-making outcomes, Annual Council moved beyond rhetoric to a funding model that rewards mission performance. Coupled with multi-year Mission Refocus commitments and a jump-start from the digital evangelism offering, the actions aim to shift more of the world church’s dollars to the front lines—from dense urban areas to the 10/40 window—while maintaining fiscal discipline and transparency.

Source: Report on the GC Treasury presentation to Annual Council, Oct. 20, 2025.