United Methodist Missionary Association

UMMA Update, August 14, 2001

Background

In the midst of your busy schedules it is sometimes difficult to keep current with the various efforts undertaken by UMMA on behalf of missionaries--members and those not yet joined. We are listened to more by the powers that be as we gain strength through your membership and participation.

When the GBGM was reorganized in 1996, the new organizational structure did not allow nor invite participation by members of the missionary community. Colleague churches and partner agencies were not sufficiently included. Strange when we are urged to preach "peoples' participation" out on the field.

The one forum the missionary community had within the former World Division, the Mission Consultation, was cancelled. In addition, it has taken some time for the various offices of GBGM to be fully staffed. This combined with frequent staff turnover and staff not familiar with some of the issues has led to some difficult times in resolution of pressing concerns.

During the past two to three years, there has been some progress. All of us appreciated the news of the increase in standard support missionary salaries effective July 1, 2001. Yes, this was long overdue but it did happen and staff of the Mission Personnel Unit worked hard on our behalf to achieve that. They, of course, were encouraged by UMMA.

In addition, UMMA has been cooperating with representatives of the National Association of Deaconesses and Missionaries (NADAM) and the association of Church and Community Workers (CCW). This means that in the new Global Personnel Concept, these groups meet and discuss issues of common concern.

For the past two years, representatives of these associations have met with staff of the Mission Personnel Unit for regular consultations twice a year. At these times, the issues of scheduling a long overdue and promised Mission Forum, reconstitution of the abruptly discontinued Task Force on the Collins Pension Fund, completion of a new Missionary Handbook and the salary increase were but a few of the issues on the agenda.

Since the Fall of 1997 representatives of UMMA are invited and do attend the meetings of the Directors of the GBGM. This has been an excellent opportunity to learn how the Board functions as well as to make the Directors aware of UMMA and the other associations, even though the exposure and avenue for input have been meager.

Just prior to the Global Mission Personnel Conference in June this year, the first ever Mission Forum was held with selected participants from the three associations (CCW, NADAM, and UMMA), other mission personnel not a part of these organizations, young adult mission personnel, directors and staff. The report of the representatives from UMMA can be read here.

Issues

There are many unresolved issues: the development and distribution of the Missionary Handbook, a booklet describing the Collins plans, the change of the domestic health benefit plan, issues involving the Collins Pension Plan, the report of a GBGM financial deficit of $39 million simultaneous with the dramatic increase in the recruitment and sending of new mission personnel, and the misrepresentation of missionary salary as stated by the General Secretary in a speech to the GBGM Directors at the April Board Meeting.

The General Secretary reported to the Directors that it costs $78,500 for support for a missionary including a salary of $45,000. The General Secretary then went on to give praise to the concept of Peace Corps Volunteers who are willing to serve for far less compensation. The thought was planted that full time mission personnel are very costly, whereas GBGM could place many more personnel at a level of compensation like the Peace Corps. How do we explain this to our Covenant supporters?

The incorrect missionary support figures were reported in the May 4, 2001 issue of Newscope. UMMA made many requests for clarification and correction with little progress for four months. Finally, after a strongly worded message by UMMA to the Newscope Editor, Rich Peck, he published the correct figures on July 31, 2001 as a footnote, which reads as follow:

"*The July 27 page one Newscope report on missionary salaries is incorrect. According to a document published by the General Board of Global Ministries, it costs an average of $45,000 to support each of the 520 UM missionaries serving outside the U.S That figure was arrived at by dividing total support costs by the number of people serving outside the U.S. in 1999. According to Steve Goldstein, a General Board of Global Ministries staffer in Mission Personnel, the starting base salary for U.S. missionaries serving outside the U.S., beginning July, 2001, is $12,600 with increases for years of service and international cost of living adjustments. Other costs are for housing, health care, child education, transportation, pensions, and itineration."

Howard Heiner Cites Justice Issue at Stake in Press Releases

"Several persons have written to me concerned about my strong email message of July 27th. They were uncomfortable with it and so was I. I certainly do not like to be harsh, but press me on issues of justice and I will be. Power structures do not submit to justice issues by sweet talk."

"...The General Secretary made a mistake...the next four months he did not send the directors a letter informing them of the correct figures nor did he inform the news services. This silence was carried on despite the fact that he received many letters and emails from missionaries informing him of his error."

"...For me it is a justice issue that the General Secretary is carrying on a disinformation campaign against the missionary community." - Howard Heiner, UMMA Chair, heiner@jeffnet.org.

Other Quotes

Action taken by the World Methodist Conference

"Concerned that some Methodist bodies are beginning mission work in nations where there is already a Methodist presence, the World Methodist Council created a task force to produce a manual of etiquette among Methodist churches. While that manual is being developed, the council asked churches not to start new congregations without the courtesy of dialogue with Methodist denominations already in the area. Several South African Methodists expressed concern that the UMC was starting congregations in their nation without consulting them." -Newscope issue, August 10, 2001

Howard Heiner wonders: "Do we need a manual of etiquette between directors, staff and missionaries?"

From the recent World Methodist Conference

"The healing we need to bring to the world does not depend on our resources; it depends on what kind of heart we have. Before people ask us for our money, they ask for our hearts. Before they ask for our resources, they ask for our love. Methodism has always been at its strongest when there is a commitment to the centrality of spirituality. I challenge Methodists to ensure there is no dysfunction between faith and practice. Belief and behavior are inseparable." -Bishop Mvume Dandala of South Africa

UMMA Membership Made Easy

Membership is open to active, inactive or retired missionaries of the GBGM or its predecessors. Current dues for the financial year (January 1 - December 31) are $25 for full membership or $15 for an Affiliate membership without voting privileges.

Make checks payable to UMMA and send with the completed application blank to:

Gilbert Bascom, Coordinator
6229-B N. Park Way
Tacoma WA 98407-2204

If you are joining for the first time, you are paid-up from now until the end of the year 2002. This is a special for those who join after the July UMMA Gathering. By the way, my tax consultant told me I could deduct these as, "Professional Membership Dues."

Gil Bascom may also be contacted as follows:
Tel: 1.253.879.8484
Fax: 1.253.752.4484
Email: gbascom1467@earthlink.net

Join UMMA now so your mission concerns can be articulated and attended to!

We welcome your comments:
gbascom1467@earthlink.net