12 Mar Jamaica Conference’s Financial Model

I’ve been attending Jamaica’s annual conference this week. I don’t usually report on finances when I visit a national conference, but Jamaica Conference deserves special recognition.

Until 2004, Jamaica Conference was receiving an appropriation of about $20,000 from Global Ministries. But the practice of giving appropriations for conference operations ended that year.

The follow year, Jamaica ended the year with a deficit of approximately $23,500 US. However this situation has improved steadily. In 2008 they finished the year with a surplus of $8600 US.

In 2009 they ended the year with a surplus of $11,300 US. But note that last year they also paid off debts on three properties (Malvern, Hazard, and Iterboreale) and raised $24,000 for missions for a total of $11,400 in spending beyond what they had budgeted. All this during a time of recession.

In 2010 they plan to continue improving their pastors’ pensions and provide life insurance. They also hope to hire an administrative bishop to free Bishop Winston Smith to spend more time coaching pastors and encouraging the growth of the conference. All this while maintaining their commitment to raise funds for missions.

What a tremendous model for other conferences! Congratulations to Bishop Smith and his team.