The 2025 Annual Report summarizes the impact local churches make when they give generously to the Michigan Conference through Ministry Shares.
JAMES DEATON
Content Editor
During his State of the Conference report at the 2025 Michigan Annual Conference, Bishop David Bard lifted up the good news we share through our storytelling as United Methodists.
“As an annual conference” said the bishop, “the story of our disciple-making and world-transforming ministry is told in the countless stories of lives changed and the world made a little better. It is told in stories of how, together, by sharing our resources, we help one another be more vital and vibrant in ministry. And we do together what we cannot do separately.”
After noting several challenges facing the Michigan Conference, he reminded the listeners of the financial situation facing the conference and then thanked them for their generosity, which helps sustain the connectional ministries throughout The United Methodist Church and undergirds our storytelling.
“The most important thing I want to say is thank you. Thank you for your participation in Ministry Shares. For those of you whose churches paid 100%, thank you. For those of you working so diligently to increase your participation, thank you. For every dollar you have given for Ministry Shares, thank you. I know that you are as Michigan United Methodists generous people. We are the number one conference in the North Central Jurisdiction in giving to the Advance. And I celebrate that with you.” Watch the bishop’s full message.
The Advance is an accountable, voluntary giving platform that supports the worldwide mission of The United Methodist Church. Although the Advance is a separate designated fund, a percentage of Ministry Shares from local United Methodist churches in Michigan support the general church, the worldwide United Methodist connection, and the administration of the General Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which manage the Advance.
During that message, Bishop Bard also held up a printed copy of the 2025 Annual Report, which had recently been published, and encouraged those attending to share this report with their congregations. This report summarizes the impact that local churches make when they give generously to the Michigan Conference through Ministry Shares. Download this report and share it with church leaders.
Ministry Shares sustain the conference and its staff as they provide vital services to our local churches and their members, and they also sustain our United Methodist ministry worldwide. Approximately 72% of those dollars stay in Michigan, with the remaining 28% going to support the general church.
See what percentage of Ministry Shares your church has contributed so far in 2025.
The 2025 Annual Report provides some examples of what we can achieve together thanks to Ministry Shares, and here are a few more to learn about. More stories and articles will be shared in the coming months through our MIConnect and MIFaith e-newsletters.
Faith Formation Cohorts
Cohorts offer faith formation leaders regular meetings with others in similar positions or interests. Some cohorts are focused on a particular age group. They are led by trained facilitators, many of whom are Michigan United Methodists. These small groups have impacted ministry leaders through a sense of community and mutual support.
Past participants have described cohorts as a place for “building a community of peers to turn to for advice and support,” experiencing the “joy of learning together and working through ideas together,” and “knowing my struggles are the same or similar to other ministry leaders.” The development of faith formation cohorts is made possible thanks to Ministry Shares from local churches.
The Michigan Conference is launching a series of new cohorts this fall, with several focusing on faith formation. Learn about the new fall cohorts for 2025. Additional details and more offerings will be posted soon on this web page.
Ministry Transition Coaching
In 2019, the Michigan Conference set out to create a sustainable coaching culture that would provide highly trained coaches to any leader in ministry transition who wanted one. A set of 12 complimentary coaching sessions would be available for clergy moving from one appointment to another. This offering was also expanded to include conference or district staff, as well as anyone affiliated with the connectional life of the conference.
Kimberlyn Palchak, one of our Michigan Conference coaches from Royal Oak: First UMC, praises the value of coaching: “Michigan Conference coaching is an excellent place for those looking for a listening ear and a coach in its truest meaning. We know that any gifted person, be it in sports or the church, can benefit from a coach. Can we even imagine an athlete doing well without the support of a caring coach in their corner? This program does that as it aims to create a safe space that feels natural and not forced, that is filled with empathy and authenticity.”
This gift of coaching for those in ministry transition is made available thanks to Ministry Shares from United Methodist churches in Michigan. Learn more about coaching and how to schedule a coaching consultation for leaders (laity, staff, and pastors) experiencing role transitions.
Seed to Harvest Ministry Incubation
The Michigan Conference’s Seed to Harvest ministry incubator program comes alongside people with ideas for new ministry and supports them as they bring their ideas to fruition. This program is supported, in large part, thanks to Ministry Shares from local United Methodist congregations.
Faith on the Fly, a ministry based out of Grand Rapids: Trinity UMC, teaches people how to fish and creates faith-filled opportunities to learn new things and bond with others. It was developed by Matt Witkowski, the director of the Community Ministries Program, also based at Trinity UMC.
Matt was part of the pilot cohort for Seed to Harvest, and the principles he learned there helped him start Faith on the Fly and other programs at Trinity, including the Seen Project. This ministry connects churches with school libraries in their communities.
The Michigan Conference’s Seed to Harvest Team will host free informational sessions on August 13 and 19 ahead of a new cohort forming in September. Find out more about the Seed to Harvest offerings this summer and fall.
EarthKeepers
EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. In May, Sandra White and Rev. Ryan Wieland, two Michigan United Methodists, were part of the newest class of EarthKeepers commissioned by the General Board of Global Ministries, which manages the EarthKeeper program.
Sandra, a lay member of South Rockwood UMC, helped her small congregation near Detroit create a community garden on a piece of property adjacent to the church. Ryan created a downloadable sustainability presentation pack that can be easily adapted for use by annual conferences to equip their church leaders better, particularly in matters of environmental justice. Read more about their projects.
Apportionments are the cornerstone of the General Board of Global Ministries budget, which includes the Environmental Sustainability program. Faithful Ministry Shares from Michigan local churches means Global Ministries can equip and empower EarthKeepers across the United States, including those in Michigan.
The next EarthKeepers training will be held in person this fall, from October 2-5, 2025, in Des Moines, Washington (Seattle-Tacoma area). All expenses for the training are paid for, except for transportation to the training venue. Learn more and apply by August 21.
Last Updated on July 22, 2025