Louisiana United Methodists launch $15M initiative to erase church debt, fund ministry projects
The Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church is preparing to put $15 million behind its remaining congregations, including $5 million to erase church debt and another $10 million for new and expanded ministry projects.
The initiative, called the Jubilee Initiative, comes after years of upheaval within the denomination, including the departure of 162 Louisiana congregations in 2022 and 2023 amid the UMC's ongoing debate over same-sex marriage and the ordination of noncelibate gay clergy.
“The goal is not simply to distribute money,” the Rev. Van Stinson, executive director of Mission and Ministry with the Louisiana Conference, told The Christian Post about the initiative, which came from “strategic conversations” that began four years ago. “The goal is to create missional momentum, helping our congregations build, connect and equip disciples of Jesus Christ so that lives, churches and communities can be transformed.”
Conference leaders say the initiative is intended to help the churches that remain move forward with renewed resources and a stronger focus on ministry.
Large numbers of congregations voted to leave the UMC amid the denomination’s ongoing debate over whether to allow for the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate gay clergy.
According to statistics compiled by UM News, 67 congregations exited the Louisiana Conference in 2022, with another 95 Louisiana-based churches disaffiliating in 2023.
“Conference leaders began looking intentionally at how we could faithfully steward our resources for the future, strengthen the mission and ministry of the Louisiana Conference, and invest in the United Methodist congregations across Louisiana committed to moving forward together,” Stinson added.
“Those conversations eventually grew into the Jubilee Initiative, a strategic investment designed not simply to respond to a changing landscape, but to help build, connect and equip our churches for the future.”
Stinson noted that the funding for the initiative “came from strategic reserves and earnings from investments,” and that several churches will be receiving the funds.
“All United Methodist churches in Louisiana who reported capital debt were identified and contacted,” Stinson said, adding that the list should be “complete by the end of October.”
As for the other $10 million that will be part of the initiative, Stinson told CP that congregations within the conference can decide which project or projects they believe “best enable and equip them to faithfully share and bear witness to the good news of the Gospel in transformative ways in their community.”
Potential projects eligible for funding include previously delayed maintenance projects, expanded food ministries, improved building accessibility, and youth evangelism efforts.
“As a Conference, our role is to resource, equip and support local congregations as they carry out that mission in their communities,” Stinson told CP. “That is ultimately what the Jubilee Initiative is about.”
“We believe this is a biblically grounded, discipleship-focused and institutionally innovative way to invest in the mission of our churches and in the people and communities they serve.”
Stinson said that by “relieving debt for some congregations and providing resources for new and expanded ministry through the Missional Momentum Fund, Jubilee creates opportunities for churches to think boldly about what God may be calling them to do next.”
“It allows congregations to strengthen existing ministries, reach new people, develop leaders, build new partnerships and explore new ways of making disciples,” he added.
