in order to fill the nets, w e m u s t l e av e t h e s h o r e b e h i n d i n s e a r c h o f d e e p e r w at e r s .
time to dive in.
he said to simon, “ P U T O U T I N T O T H E D E E P WAT E R A N D L E T D O W N Y O U R N E T S F O R A C AT C H . � lu k e 5 : 4
LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND PRESIDENT When Simon leaves the shore behind and ventures into deep water, he and the other disciples make a leap of faith that makes everything else possible. It starts with leaving the shallow waters of “that’s the way it works, that’s the way it has always worked” and entering the deep wells of new possibility. There is a lesson for TMF and for the church we serve in this sacred story.
of the presence of Christ. At the same time, the church must create new systems and strategies in order to provide places of grace for those who are “unaffiliated” with the traditional church.
Today, our world faces formidable, complex, and connected challenges. At the same time, we believe the church stands taller than any other in its promise for addressing those challenges, for bringing about the world of God’s imagination.
transformative impact, whether through Improving or Creating.
Like others, we believe these challenges demand that we question long-standing assumptions and comfortable practices. And that we find and
resource the best new ideas and expand and deepen networks for innovation. This is as true
for the church as it is for governments, businesses, and other institutions.
TMF’s paramount responsibility is to make the most effective use of our resources “to empower the church in the achievement of its God-appointed missions.” Just as our Area Representatives help congregations continually discern God’s purposes for them, TMF continually revisits our purpose to consider whether our outcomes and approaches are sufficiently bold, inventive, and effective, and to ensure that we are tackling some of the church’s most profound issues as they rapidly evolve. I M P R O V I N G A N D C R E AT I N G In his new monograph published during 2015, Gil Rendle, TMF Senior Vice President, differentiates between improving and creating and the need for the church to do both simultaneously. The church must improve its work with the “affiliated” by aligning ministries with changed lives, changed congregations, and changed communities because
TMF is committed to these dual goals of Improving and Creating. Further, TMF is
committed to demonstrating and developing the courageous leadership required to bring about
This report documents some inspiring examples of courageous leadership efforts to Improve and Create from members of TMF’s Ministry with the Poor Learning Community. Our work with this group reflects our move to a more integrated services approach to creative
partnerships that create new realities. In addition to financial resources like loans and grants, the best ideas and outcomes require tools like knowledge, synergy, inspiration, creativity, confidence, and a spirit of enterprise. We want to provide an array of powerful resources to help courageous leaders reach their goals. Through convening, conversation,
strategic planning, teaching, training, research, loans, and grants, we are partnering with bold leaders to help steward their potential in unprecedented ways.
This means we will invest deeply, with hope and optimism and an all-in commitment to real change that matters. All of the stories highlighted reflect creativity in ministry, service, partnership, or process. All are showing impact today. All have
LEAVING THE SHORE TMF founders embedded in the culture of this organization the value of striving to make things better for the future; they sought to continually improve the human condition through vital congregations, vibrant pastoral leadership, and grants and gifts that foster a better way of life for future generations. Now, TMF is called to cast our nets out deeper. TMF’s next chapter will be characterized not only by efforts toward
improvement, but by creative partnerships
that strive toward transformative change and converge with the efforts of others to build momentum.
This is an exciting time for TMF, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with the TMF Board of Directors and staff to help shape this organization’s future. We want to thank the board for challenging us to embrace the future fearlessly; TMF staff for their optimism and persistence in the face of change; and every donor, investor, congregation, clergy and lay leader whose potential we proudly help steward. In order to fill the nets, we must leave the shore behind in search of deeper waters. Time to dive in.
innovation at their heart and the potential for great transformations. All are led by leaders who have left the safety nets of convention
and security on the shoreline for deeper wells of meaning and change.
Henry Joyner
BOARD CHAIR
Tom Locke
PRESIDENT
C R E AT I N G
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Hosted The Forum on Wesleyan Potential. TMF’s Leadership Ministry and the active Bishops of the South Central Jurisdiction
hosted a three-day conversation in Austin on December 1-3, 2015. We asked thoughtful leaders from different fields of experience from across the nation to consider the question: “What would the future of faith communities look like if they were less constrained by what currently is and more encouraged by what could be?” ■
Increased engagement with grant recipients, leaders, and initiatives focused on creating new ways to connect with those outside the traditional church and creative ways to improve their communities. In addition to the stories depicted in this report, TMF grant recipient Houston re:Vision is another example of the meaningful change that can happen when creativity, expertise, and determination are brought to bear on seemingly intractable systems. Created in 2011 through a partnership between St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, reVision connects gang-affected and adjudicated youth with mentors, positive peers and life-changing resources, and is transforming lives while helping
s e t a m b i t i o u s g o a l s t h at a r e c l e a r a n d p r a c t i c a l , a n d s e e k s i g n i f i c a n t,
measurable progress.
to reform the juvenile justice system.
IMPROVING
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a new generation of talented congregational leaders and strengthening current leaders in their capacities for excellence in ministry through Leadership Ministry learning communities and projects.
REMAINED FOCUSED ON: ■
Growing ministries through $60.2 million in new loans funded
during 2015. ■
Fostering cultures of purpose and generosity through planned giving,
strategic planning, grant making, and stewardship resources. ■
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Upgrading our technology to better
connect with investors and borrowers. ■
Conducting intensive research on further
technology improvements for the future.
Integrating all of our services into
a comprehensive approach for creating vibrant, sustainable congregations.
Encouraging, educating, and supporting
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Creating an online community through
engaging conversations via social media.
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Convened national conversations on issues important to TMF and the church with like-minded organizations, such as NAUMF and
other edge organizations, to reanimate and nurture a culture of purpose focused on outcomes rather than activities. ■
Published Gil Rendle’s new monograph – “Waiting for God’s New Thing: Spiritual and Organizational Leadership in the In-between Time” –
which continues his discussion on metrics and outcomes and offers the new argument that what is needed is a dual strategy of both improving the institution that we already have (to serve those attracted to organized religion), and creating new forms of faith communities and opportunities for spiritual development (to serve those not attracted to organized religion).
I N V E S T I N G I N C R E AT I V E , COURAGEOUS LEADERS TMF fosters change in the church by facilitating
conversations that inspire courage, learning, and innovation among leaders. One platform we provide takes the form of a Learning Community, a
peer group often formed around a particular ministry context, which meets regularly with a facilitator for a minimum of two years, strengthening leaders for deep change. Last year TMF's Leadership Ministry hosted 14 peer learning groups, involving 255 lay and clergy leaders. DEEPENING OUR INVESTMENT IN LEADERS A recently formed group is the Ministry with the Poor Learning Community which brings together leaders who are deeply committed to breaking the cycle of asset poverty that has persisted through multiple generations and to helping congregations engage in ministry with the poor. TMF's involvement with the 16 members (and organizations represented) in this group illustrates our focus on delivering transformational solutions by marshaling all of our financial and leadership services more effectively. This integrated approach enables us to accelerate our collaboration with partners engaged in some of the most innovative and creative ministries in the country.
In forming this peer group, TMF’s Leadership Ministry has identified and leveraged synergies
across this ministry context and has committed to fully resource the group for a minimum of two years. In addition to this financial commitment, TMF awarded a total of more than $200,000 in grants during 2015 to ministries served by members of this Learning Community. TMF Area Representatives have interacted with eight members of the group, either as conversation partners and resource connectors or through a Holy Conversations process. TMF’s loans and investment services have $7.6 million in loans to organizations represented in the group and $10.4 million in funds invested at TMF.
TMF believes in doing all we can to provide leaders, like those in this group, with opportunities to learn from each other, to inspire one another, to dream big, and to bring those ideas to life. Most
important, we can share what we learn with others, so the lessons and benefits of creating change can be understood by all. EXPLORING DEEP WELLS OF FA I T H I N AC T I O N Facilitating a group of independent, even experimental, thinkers and doers like those in the Ministry with the Poor group requires an open mind and heart. Fortunately, TMF convinced Carole Somers Clarke to take on the job. The retired Vice President of Pastoral Services at Methodist Hospital in Dallas is also a Clinical Pastoral Educator certified by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE.) If anyone could help coordinate this group, it was Somers Clarke.
“I was very excited about the opportunity, but wanted to make sure the group was as diverse as possible,” explains Somers Clarke. “Boy did
TMF deliver on that front. I’ve never had the opportunity to sit down with a more varied – or a more talented – group of individuals. Everyone is extremely knowledgeable about the challenges of working with the poor. Their backgrounds are amazing, as is the work they’re doing. But it also really raised the stakes on how we confronted difficult issues, because there are so many different – and valid – points of view.” For those with the courage to venture into the deep waters of some of the toughest, poorest and most neglected communities in the country, there is an infectious sense of optimism as they learn new, insightful lessons every day while working side-byside with individuals and families in the starkest of circumstances.
TMF has a unique opportunity to deepen the
introspection, conduct ongoing evaluations to
impact of creative ministries that are striving
measure outcomes, and sharpen their visions and
toward
well
plans for future action, we are encouraging them as
positioned to assist these leaders through grant
they leave the nets of security and convention
transformative
change.
We
are
making, convening conversations, and strategic
behind and answer God’s call to do something bold
planning, as well as stewardship, gift planning,
and brave. This is the kind of comprehensive
endowment, lending and investment expertise. By
support needed to create deeper and more long-
helping courageous leaders engage in purposeful
lasting impact and change.
“i’m a christian because the church s av e d m y l i f e . ” gabriel dominguez
C R E AT I N G L I F E L I N E S O F DISCIPLESHIP IN SOUTH WACO “When the Ministry with the Poor group first started, I sensed there was a lot of hesitation from everyone,” says Gabriel (Pastor G) Dominguez of Life Church in Waco. “We all work in challenging ministries with people who are very poor, and are subject to all of the daily struggles that come with living in poverty. We were not the kind of people who had a couple of days just to hang out and talk.”
Shortly after that visit, Dominguez requested to talk to Senior Pastor Steve Ramsdell. “I didn’t know if he would even meet with me, but he said yes, and we met at a coffee shop. I was very honest. I told him, ‘look, I don’t know why I’m here, but I’m here. And I don’t know what’s ahead. But if you’d like to take a walk with me, I’d like to share some of my background and ideas with you. I’d like to share with you why I think I’m here.’ I really believe that God meant for us to meet each other.”
“But during that first meeting, I suddenly understood what we were trying to accomplish,” he explains. “And I could tell that the other members got it, as well. Working with the poor can be a
very lonely experience. These people knew exactly what I go through every day. At that point, I became enlightened. I wanted to hear what each of them had to share, because I felt I could learn a lot, and bring what I learned back to my people.”
The people in Dominguez’ flock aren’t what you would typically imagine of a congregation.
courage to take that walk and have that conversation. It also required faith, trust, and a willingness to be open in thinking about who
the Church can reach, and how it can make a deep and lasting positive impact on their lives. After a few more meetings, Ramsdell decided Dominguez would be a good conduit for reaching out to the underserved community of south Waco. Eight years later, Life Church, a campus ministry of First United Methodist, is discovering new and innovative ways to work with members of the community living in poverty, as well as those at risk of landing in the criminal justice system.
“We have 24 leaders in our church who are ex-criminals, ex-gang members or ex-drug dealers. Accountability is key. The heart of our discipleship system is accountability. If someone proves that they want to change their life, we will do whatever we can to help them succeed.”
Gabriel (Pastor G) Dominguez of Life Church in Waco.
“What’s really incredible is how the disciples have stepped up to be leaders,” says Dominguez.
“We have disciples who were jobless or in bad circumstances when they first joined the church. Today, they not only have turned their lives around, they’re willing to lead and coach and help out others who want to find their own path to a better life. I’m so blessed to have witnessed the transformation of so many of my church brothers and sisters. I’m thankful God allowed me to ride this wave.”
As a young man, Dominguez gravitated to the hustling lifestyle of the streets in Waco. He did everything from deal drugs to traffic weapons. By age 23, he landed in federal prison. Dominguez found God shortly after he was released, but was still very uncertain of his future. “I was in a very bad place,” says Dominguez. “I knew I only had a short window of time before I might begin making poor choices again. I was trying to find a way, a reason to be in church somehow.”
The lives touched by Life Church’s disciples and leaders is a crucial component to Dominguez’ ministry called “The Ripple Effect.” The first ripple is when someone can change his or her own life. The second is the impact that change has on friends and family. And the third ripple, the one most often overlooked, is when the lives of strangers are positively affected.
He applied for a janitorial position at First United Methodist Church in Waco , but he walked out in the middle of the interview. Fortunately, he grabbed a pamphlet on his way out. He liked what he read, and decided to try visiting the church with his family that Sunday. “We pulled in to the parking lot in our old van,” he recalls. “I could see a lot of nice cars around us, and the people coming out of the early service were very well dressed. It was kind of awkward because of how much we stood out, but we went to the contemporary service, and everyone was very welcoming to us.”
The meeting wasn’t easy for either man. It took
Dominguez does more than preach “The Ripple Effect.” He’s lived it.
Two young Life Church men who have not only turned their lives around, but are leading others to new life
“I should be dead, but I’m not. I should be doing two life sentences, but I’m not,” he explains. “Hope started with me, but it doesn’t end with me. It continues through the lives of people I’ve been
fortunate to touch. And with the lives touched by those people. And on and on, ripple after
There are probably members of the group who enjoy being around Russell as much as he enjoys being around them. Prior to joining St. Paul’s, Russell was on faculty at Duke Divinity School , and he’s also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge .
ripple.”
Even for a battle-scarred veteran of the streets like Dominguez who’s spent years working with those on the fringes, the Ministry with the Poor group has been an eye-opening experience. “I really like the idea that we visit each other’s congregations,” Dominguez explains. “We don’t just hear about the circumstances they face. We see it, first-hand. What they’re up against. And more important, how they work to overcome the challenge. How they think. How they innovate .” “I feel that the Ministry with the Poor group is history in the making,” he shares . “I think we have the opportunity to do some great things that those behind us can build upon. And
maybe we can help other churches learn and understand more about people in their community. People they may not even notice. The whole experience has made me so proud to be a Methodist, and so encouraged about the future.”
DEEPENING THEOLOGICAL W AT E R S I N H O U S TO N T H R O U G H "IMPROBABLE FRIENDSHIPS" Gabriel Dominguez isn’t the only passionate believer in the Ministry with Poor leadership group. Matt Russell, Senior Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston , and Executive Director at Project CURATE , was
in awe of some of the other members in the room at that first gathering. “I think Larry James (CEO of CitySquare in Dallas) is the best in the field in working with the poor on a systemic level,” explains Russell. “And I consider guys like George Battle (Director, Zip Code Connection) and Gabriel Dominguez to be spiritual ninjas. Doing the work they do, in the trenches, with such love and compassion and humor. It’s truly inspiring. I just want to be around them, so I can learn how they think. Maybe some of it will rub off on me.”
Above:
Sharpstown students and Iconoclast participants holding Marlo Lizama's first book of poetry. Lizama, a Salvadorian immigrant and poet, is Iconoclast's program manager. Below: Matt Russell, Senior Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston and Executive Director at Project CURATE
In spite of his top-tier credentials, Russell’s true calling, as he explains, is to bring “the spiritual discipline of improbable relationships that span boundaries and deepen the faith of each party. It is a crucial spiritual discipline for Christians in a city like Houston.” It’s why he founded Project CURATE which stands for Center for Urban Reconciliation And Theological Education . Project CURATE’s mission is to build bridges across cultural divides that unify, inspire, and cultivate a new imagination for how Christians interact with the city, through adaptive learning. The organization seeks to bring together diverse communities for theological reflection and kinship. Members of Project CURATE meet once a month to hear from a pastor, activist or even world-renown theologians. Every individual there is paired with someone from a different part of the city, and usually a completely different background. “We do everything in our power to ensure that people from different areas engage each other, talk to each other and listen to each other,” says Russell. “In the process, we can literally witness them develop deep, mutually rewarding relationships which would have never happened otherwise.”
Project CURATE has also developed a variety of innovative programs, like Iconoclast , a poetrywriting program that offers students from some of Houston’s poorest neighborhoods the opportunity to share their life experiences through the written word. Revealing your personal struggles, fears and dreams to strangers requires tremendous courage. But many of these young people have gained a sense of selfesteem, agency, and community pride from expressing themselves through the unique perspective of their individual voices.
"the goal of icono cl ast is to enable students t o s e e a n e w i m a g i n a t i o n f o r w h at t h e i r f u t u r e s c o u l d b e a n d t h e n c r e at e d e f i n i t i v e p at h way s
t o wa r d s t h o s e p o s s i b i l i t i e s . � R e v . M at t R u s s e l l
The program and its poets have received critical and public acclaim. A number of the poems have been published in an anthology titled, They Say, which is now available on Amazon. There was a public reading of some poems from the anthology at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in March 2015. Project CURATE also offers theological training through Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) in both English and Spanish. In fact, all theological education is offered in both languages. “We’re completely committed to bilingual education,” Russell explains. “In a city where 70% of the people aged 13 or younger are brown, we think it’s very short sighted to not acknowledge that reality, so we do everything in our power to reach each and every person we can.”
“When the idea of Project CURATE first came to me, I thought it was absolutely crazy,” says Russell. “But it also spoke to me from the heart of Jesus. It was something I had to do. Because if two people from
dramatically different backgrounds can strike up a genuine friendship, I consider that a success. If
we can put people looking for work in touch with those who have jobs to offer, that’s a success. To me, that is the Gospel. That is the way of Jesus. ‘for whenever two or more of you are gathered in my name…’” TMF’s objective of Improving and Creating is personified by the work of the Ministry with the Poor group, as its members work to make a positive,
lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families for whom positive change is seldom an option.
“The purpose of the group is to make disciples of Christ, in spite of the poverty that is all around us,” explains Somers Clarke. “These aren’t people who
necessarily go to church every Sunday. But we’re not necessarily making disciples the way it probably happens in most churches. We’re committed to keep pushing for more new creation.”
“This is the most servant-oriented group of people I’ve ever met in my life,” she adds. “They have the
potential to change the Church in ways that none of us have considered. To have an organization like TMF
supporting our group and our ministries, spiritually and financially, provides tremendous inspiration and credibility to what we’re all working to accomplish.”
A student performs his work at a poetry reading hosted by Iconoclast, an innovative program committed to nurturing the lives of under-resourced students in Houston by cultivating their artistic, educational, and spiritual imaginations
w h e n s i m o n l e av e s t h e s h o r e b e h i n d and v e n t u r e s i n to d e e p wat e r , h e a n d t h e ot h e r d i s c i p l e s m a k e a l e a p o f f a i t h t h at m a k e s everything else possible.
B AT T L I N G H O M E L E S S N E S S W I T H I N N O V AT I O N I N NEW MEXICO Since joining with the New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation (NMCMF) in April of 2014, TMF has been privileged to get to know the congregations and ministries of New Mexico. Those visits have brought to life the challenges they face, the expertise they bring to bear, the complex environments in which they work, and the profound faith and perseverance that is bringing meaningful change to their communities. Saranam, one of TMF’s newest grantees in New Mexico, had a vision for tackling homelessness and applied strategies and tactics that are having an enormous impact on a seemingly intractable system. Like organizations in the Ministry with the Poor Learning Community, Saranam’s strategic and imaginative efforts are bringing practical change, while also fostering a better quality of life for future generations. TMF is more convinced than ever that forming one organization brings more resources – whether through loans, grants, investments, gift planning, or leadership development – for
Not only are these families dealing with circumstances most people could never imagine, they also feel neglected, invisible and alone. They are facing seemingly insurmountable hurdles. And they seldom, if ever, know anyone else who has found a way out of their situation. “At Saranam, we learned that bringing homeless families together into a community is key to helping each family find a successful path back to a more normal life,” explains Sharp. “By working with multiple families in a group setting, we began to see the individuals from those families rediscover a comforting sense of stability. Even if one person
has a bad day, there is a community around them that offers support and encouragement.”
Saranam is a two-year housing and education program for homeless families who have a desire and the motivation to change their lives to end their homelessness. The two-year timeframe is important, since it enables every child in the program to be in the same school for at least the two years. This continuity is crucial to their academic and social development. “We believe that to eliminate homelessness, first and foremost you need to have a home,” adds Sharp. “So Saranam supplies a home for each family, along
actualizing bold new solutions for serving
But along with that home comes expectations. Parents in the programs are also enrolled in school, depending on at which level they stopped their education. If they dropped out of high school, they begin GED training. If they graduated from high school, they take college prep courses or get job training. There are also night courses that teach a variety of life skills, from parenting to financial management to acquiring the interpersonal traits required to function and succeed in school and on the job. The program is designed to get adults into the habit of working or being in school every day from 8-4. Developing a regular daily schedule is crucial for people who have spent years without a “normal” routine. “They really need to regain that muscle memory of using their days to be productive,” explains Sharp. The success rate of this innovative program is impressive. Saranam has remained in touch with
more than 60% of the families who have been through the program during the last 10 years. Each and every family from this group has maintained stability and growth since leaving Saranam.
Parents have completed school (from GED training to college degrees), found employment, and, most important, created stable homes for their families. This is a level of positive, sustained and repeatable outcomes that most non-profit organizations only dream about.
the church, its people, and its purpose in New Mexico.
Homeless families face multiple daunting challenges as they struggle not only to survive, but also to stay together. This makes is especially tough for parents working to overcome the issues that led them to a life on the streets. Tracy Sharp, Executive Director of Saranam in Albuquerque, has spent her entire career looking
for new and better ways to end homelessness. While pursuing her research, she discovered an especially critical burden faced by homeless families that was too often overlooked: isolation.
with everything they’ll need to live in that home for two years.”
Saranam inspires a child to dream big dreams
“We are so fortunate to have partners like TMF, who provide grants and support that enable us to operate this type of program that’s different in its approach,” says Sharp. “It reaffirms our commitment to keep working until the day there are no more homeless families in our community, or any community.”
“ w h i l e I s t i l l b e l i e v e t h at t h e r e a r e t i m e s w h e n r u l e breaking is in order, there is much yet for us to learn about how to use our p olity in e f f o r t s o f i m p r o v e m e n t, but how not to be constr ained by t h at s a m e p o l i t y i n e f f o r t s o f c r e a t i o n . how do we honor where we came from, and also honor where we are called to go?� gil rendle
FINANCIAL ■
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2015
YEAR IN REVIEW
TMF ended 2015 clearer about the depth of impact we want to achieve , about the cumulative coherence of our
work, and about how to converge with the efforts of others to build momentum toward our ultimate objectives of stewarding God-inspired potential and empowering vital, effective, relevant faith communities. The significance of the following
t m f ’s n e x t ch a p t e r w i l l b e c h a r a c t e r i z e d n o t o n ly b y e f f o r t s to wa r d i m p r o v e m e n t, b u t b y c r e a t i v e p a r t n e r s h i p s t h at s t r i v e t o w a r d t r a n s f o r m at i v e c h a n g e a n d converge with the efforts of others
to build momentum.
developments, activities, and financial reporting is in how they reflect the many congregations, leaders, families, and organizations we are privileged to work with who are leaving inward-focused shallow preferences behind and moving outward into the deep waters of world-changing faith.
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As of December 31, 2015, total assets under management by TMF were approximately $505 million. Our Methodist Loan Fund ended the year at $323 million. Methodist Loan Fund investments support TMF’s loan program which currently funds 433 loans to United Methodist churches and agencies. Our loan balance ended 2015 at $314 million. Our Undesignated Endowment grew during the year by approximately $1.9 million, ending the year at $31.8 million. The relationship between our loan portfolio and our endowment has never been healthier and, in fact, exceeds guidelines established by our board. Additionally, this endowment growth diversifies and enhances our operating income stream by generating additional revenue for operations. Not included in the amount above, endowment dedicated to our Leadership Ministry now totals an additional $5.8 million. In 2015, TMF Grants continued efforts to identify and invest in financially sustainable ministries that are creating measurable, systemic change. New questions and conversations explored institutional and entrepreneurial ministries and how we can help grant applicants address key issues, such as strategic planning, funding sources, and methods for measuring outcomes and effectiveness. During 2015, TMF made grants totaling approximately $1.2 million. Of that total, an estimated $956,000 came from unrestricted endowments and $260,000 from TMF operations. The Grants Committee of the TMF Board of Directors determines distribution decisions for these discretionary funds. In 2015, grants funds were distributed as follows: d 34% to outreach ministries targeting systemic change d 27% to ministries which systemically benefit families
living in poverty , particularly children
d 27% to evangelism, especially those ministries
connecting with segments of the population the church is not effectively reaching today
d 12% for scholarships
2 0 1 5 Y E A R I N R E V I E W C O N T. “ e n c o u r a g e r o f r i s k - ta k i n g l e a d e r s h i p b y p a s t o r s a n d c o n g r e g at i o n s t o b o t h i m p r o v e a n d c h a n g e our present system in order
t o c r e at e n e w c o n n e c t i o n s . �
bishop janice riggle huie o n k e y q ua l i t i e s o f e p i s c o pa l l e a d e r s h i p
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In addition to the $1.2 million cited above, TMF provided $180,000 in special grant funding to the six conferences we serve throughout Texas and New Mexico. Since beginning these grants in 2009, TMF has awarded a total of $1,250,000 to the conferences, all of which has been used at the discretion of the presiding Bishops. For 2015, we asked the Bishops to align the funding with organizations addressing critical needs in ways that bring about meaningful and sustainable change, consistent with our Grants Ministry’s focus on systemic change.
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TMF distributed approximately $1 million from permanent endowments, predominantly to United Methodist causes in Texas.
S TA F F I N G A N D S E R V I C E A R E A S ■
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TMF’s Leadership Ministry seeks to work for change in the church through facilitating conversations of courage, learning, and innovation among leaders. Some conversations take the form of on-going peer groups and others as stand-alone conversations around an adaptive issue. During 2015, TMF hosted 14 peer learning groups, involving 255 lay and clergy leaders, and has plans for at least four new groups in 2016. These groups include gatherings of the South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ) Bishops, District Superintendents, key cabinet leaders, Boards of Ordained Ministry, Executive Pastors, tall steeple pastors and groups focused on ministry with the poor, music in worship, senior pastors recently appointed to their first large church, transitions of leadership in tall steeple churches, and targeted groups to develop the next generation of leaders. In addition, TMF and the active SCJ Bishops hosted The Forum on Wesleyan Potential , a threeday conversation amongst leaders from different fields of experience and generations about the future of faith communities, a dialogue “less constrained by what is, and more encouraged by what could be.” During 2015, TMF staff said goodbye to Bob Dupuy after two-and-a-half years of tirelessly working as Senior Vice President of Charitable Services , but welcomed him back to the TMF Board of Directors. Bob was elected to the board in 2003, served as board president in 2009-2010, and began his latest tenure as board director in November 2015. Bob has had an incalculable impact on TMF, and we will continue to benefit from his sage advice, generosity, and dedication to the values and purpose of TMF. Charles G. Smith who had a productive tenure with TMF during the 1990’s has returned to TMF to work with individuals and families on fulfilling their charitable vision. Jacki Lammert, Director of Grants Ministry , also joined the Charitable Services area in 2015.
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TMF celebrated the retirements of two long-tenured members of our staff. As a 23-year employee of TMF, Carol Nelson , Assistant Vice President of Loans, had an unwavering focus on helping churches. Her devotion to the long-term vitality of congregations, her congenial spirit, and sense of humor are sorely missed. Paula Sini assumed Carol’s role in the loan area upon her retirement. In December 2015, TMF celebrated Dick Young’s retirement after 16 years of service to United Methodist congregations. His commitment to empowering congregational vibrancy left an indelible mark on churches throughout Texas and especially in the Northwest Texas Conference (NWTXC). We will welcome Richard Edwards in the fall of 2016 as Area Representative for the NWTXC as he continues Dick’s exceptional work to connect clergy and lay leaders to resources relevant to their unique goals for missional growth in their congregations and communities. In November 2015, TMF announced that it will expand its Leadership Ministry for clergy and laity, beginning in January 2017, through the addition of Bishop Janice Riggle Huie . Bishop Huie will join the staff of TMF at the conclusion of her tenure as Bishop of the Texas Conference where she has served since 2004. Bishop Huie’s experience and knowledge are well-suited to TMF’s dual focus on encouraging leaders to think expansively and act courageously both to improve existing congregations and create new communities of faith. Our Area Representatives have found that they have the most impact when they ask the right questions. Creative approaches to critical challenges often emerge when they pose the essential questions to congregational leaders who then think deeply about them and craft strategies in ways that align with their own God-inspired mission, purpose, and resources . Those conversations help us continue to refine our questions and deepen pools of engagement. Legacy Giving staff members explored with donors their innermost ethics
and how they want to steward their resources to align with those values. These conversations led to transformational gifts that offer a keen sense of purpose, deliver clearly articulated outcomes and foster a deep sense of community among donors and recipients alike.
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TMF Loans and Investing also worked to deepen the concepts of both
improving and creating as they assisted congregations in developing resources to fulfill their dreams for improving current ministries and creating new ones.
2015 FINANCIALS ASSETS
CA S H A N D CA S H EQ U I VA L E N TS AC C RU E D I N T E R E ST R EC E I VA B L E C O N S U LT I N G F E E S R EC E I VA B L E P L E D G E S R EC E I VA B L E LOA N S BOND FUNDS STO C K S
TOTAL 2015
FUNDS OWNED
LIFE INCOME FUND
ENDOWMENT FUND
FUNDS MANAGED FOR INVESTORS
12,814,499
$ 375,308
90,562
303,130
12,045,499
1,262,930
70,616
14,099
306,854
871,361
3,500
3,500
-
-
-
163,155
10,000
-
153,155
-
324,696,565
6,522,215
2,248,289
7,418,620
308,507,441
5,175,778
4,842
1,743
480,347
4,688,846
148,642,795
26,562,675
13,805,866
50,394,001
57,880,253
C E RT I F I CAT E S O F D E P O S I T
5,846,070
18,818
1,964
541,315
5,283,973
LAND AND BUILDINGS
2,068,876
2,068,774
1
101
-
598,443
100
593,476
1,867
3,000
58,650
-
-
58,650
-
O I L A N D G A S I N T E R E STS OT H E R I N V E ST M E N TS
2,505,868
2,505,868
-
-
-
I N TA N G I B L E A S S E TS
625,384
625,384
-
-
-
P R E PA I D E X P E N S E S
589,774
201,406
388,368
-
-
505,052,287
38,969,506
17,144,368
59,658,040
389,280,373
3,875,484
676,828
75,580
2,855,053
268,023
F I X E D A S S E TS, N E T
TOTA L
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS LIABILITIES: D I ST R I B U T I O N S, G R A N TS A N D AC C O U N TS PAYA B L E DEFERRED REVENUE DEFERRED GRANT REVENUE
75,450
75,450
-
-
-
600,000
600,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
F U N D S M A N AG E D FO R I N V E STO R S
389,012,350
-
-
-
389,012,350
F U N D S H E L D A S AG E N T
55,376,893 448,940,177
1,352,278
16,867,578 16,943,158
38,509,315 41,364,368
389,280,373
LINE OF CREDIT
TOTA L L I A B I L I T I E S
NET ASSETS
TOTAL
56,112,110
37,617,228
201,210
18,293,672
-
$505,052,287
38,969,506
17,144,368
59,658,040
389,280,373
T M F S c h e d u l e o f S e l e c t e d F i n a n c i a l D ata f o r e a c h o f t h e s e v e n y e a r s i n t h e p e r i o d e n d e d D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 5
AT YEAR END:
“i’m a christian because the church s av e d m y l i f e . ” gabriel dominguez
20 0 9
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
F U N D S M A N AG E D FO R I N V E STO R S
301,154,353
299,396,216
301,622,524
326,374,476
319,980,087
393,454,064
389,012,350
LOA N S
307,575,329
296,552,405
310,396,734
325,359,350
327,256,864
332,804,892
324,696,565
OT H E R S EC U R I T I E S
50,648,339
61,346,922
67,356,467
86,024,802
92,080,540
153,758,360
159,664,643
O P E R AT I N G A N D M E M O R I A L N E T A S S E TS
14,702,093
17,090,584
20,183,904
23,531,390
27,451,359
29,928,607
31,798,055
2,837,148
3,585,475
4,026,196
4,197,890
4,687,298
5,652,360
5,819,173
50,414,119
61,656,675
64,635,125
71,918,876
81,824,737
92,574,608
94,420,215
365,394,703
373,501,239
383,922,117
419,390,976
425,941,318
510,478,159
505,052,287
T M F L E A D E R S H I P M I N I ST RY PERMANENT GIFTS (FOUNDATION,TRUSTEE)
TOTAL ASSETS
BOARD MEMBERS BY CONFERENCE CENTRAL TEXAS
NORTHWEST TEXAS
Dr. Tim Bruster Rev. Thelma Flores** Dr. Chris Hayes Mr. Henry Joyner Dr. Dale Knobel Bishop J. Michael Lowry Mr. Wesley Millican Mr. Hiram Smith***
Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe** Mr. Matthew Bumstead Judge Ron Enns Dr. James W. Hunt Mr. Bynum Miers*** Dr. James Nunn
NEW MEXICO Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe** Mr. John Goodwin Rev. Jeff Lust Mr. Sid Strebeck Mr. Tom Toevs
" O u r B o a r d h a s c o n t i n u a l ly e n c o u r a g e d u s to l e av e b e h i n d t h e s h a l l o w wat e r s o f t h e k n ow n pa st to e x p lo r e t h e
NORTH TEXAS
d e e p wat e r s o f G o d's p ro m i s e s for our world." — T O M L OTMF C KhasE a
unique opportunity to
impact of creative ministries that toward
transformative
change.
RIO TEXAS Mr. James A. Cox Dr. Daniel Flores Rev. Scott Heare Mr. Jim Hornbuckle Mrs. Teresa Keese Rev. Laura Merrill Mr. Robert T. Rork Mr. Robert C. Scott*** Mr. Robert B. Sunderland*** Ms. Amy Shaw Thomas Judge Henry Santana
Mr. Jim Adams Mrs. Mary Brooke Casad Dr. Jan Davis TEXAS Mrs. Pat Deal Mr. Robert Dupuy Mr. William Bleibdrey Dr. William Green Dr. Don House Mr. Larry Haynes Mr. Rock Houstoun Mr. Joseph W. Holmes Bishop Janice Riggle Huie Rev. Katherine Glaze Lyle Mrs. Thomasine Johnson Bishop Michael McKee Dr. Thomas J. Pace, III Dr. Clayton Oliphint Mrs. Ruth Palmer** Rev. Owen Ross Mr. James V. Walzel deepen the introspection, conduct ongoing evaluations to Dr. Andrew Stoker Rev. Jim Welch are striving measure outcomes, and sharpen their visions and Mrs. Kay Yeager * *A D V I S O R Y
We
are
well
positioned to assist these leaders through grant
plans for future action, are them as * *we *EM E Rencouraging ITUS they leave the nets of security and convention
making, convening conversations, and strategic
behind and answer God’s call to do something bold
planning, as well as stewardship, gift planning,
and brave. This is the kind of comprehensive
endowment, lending and investment expertise. By
support needed to create deeper and more long-
helping courageous leaders engage in purposeful
lasting impact and change.
“Life comes to a p oint not when the individual project is complete but when the
s e l f d i s s o lv e s i n t o a larger purpose and cause." Dav i d B r o o k s , THE SUMMONED SELF
T M F S TA F F A R E A R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S JOHN THORNBURG Senior Area Representative, North Texas Conference, and Vice President of Area Staff M E LV I N A M E R S O N Senior Area Representative, Resource Specialist ERIC MCKINNEY Senior Area Representative, Central Texas Conference DON PSENCIK Senior Area Representative, Church Endowment Specialist J O H N R I VA S Executive Director for New Mexico Activities J OYC E R U S S E L L Senior Administrative Assistant TO M S TA N TO N Senior Area Representative, Rio Texas Conference and General Counsel L E A H TAY LO R Senior Area Representative, Texas Conference C H A R I TA B L E S E R V I C E S A N D D E V E LO P M E N T JUSTIN GOULD E M I LY A D D I N G TO N CHARLES SMITH
Vice President of Development Administrative Assistant Donor Development Charitable Services Representative
C U RT I S V I C K TERI FICHERA L AU R A F U Q UA
Vice President of Foundation Relations
GRANTS MINISTRY JAC K I L A M M E RT PAT T I G L A N Z E R
Director of Grants Ministry Senior Administrative Assistant
LEADERSHIP MINISTRY GIL RENDLE L I S A G R E E N WO O D JANET KLOSTERBOER
C A N DY G R O S S KERRY AFFLERBAUGH G E R RY S C H O E N I N G PAT S Y W I L S O N LASHUNDR A BUFORD THERESA MCGEE L I N DA PA R N E L L SUSAN PUHAR SONIA RILEY
President Executive Vice President Director of Event Planning and Executive Support Executive Administrative Assistant and Corporate Secretary
F O U N DAT I O N R E L AT I O N S PAT T I S I M M O N S
O P E R AT I O N S
TERESA RICE
EXECUTIVE TO M LO C K E
METHODIST LOAN FUND SERVICES DAV I D M C C A S K I L L Senior Vice President of MLF Services R O B E RT H O P P E Vice President of Loans and Real Estate S A R A B E LT R A N Assistant Vice President of Investor Services PAU L A S I N I Assistant Vice President of Loans V I R G I N I A A D D I N G TO N Loan and Investor Services Assistant R ANDI FORREST Investor Services Assistant TERRI HARNISH Loan Closer JENNY KING Loan Assistant
Senior Vice President Vice President of Leadership Ministry Senior Administrative Assistant
K A RY L S E I B E RT B A R B A R A WA R R E N C I N DY WA R R E N
Senior Vice President of Operations Assistant Vice President, IT Help Desk Assistant Vice President, Controller Assistant Vice President, Human Resources Office Operations Administrative Assistant Office Assistant, New Mexico Office Receptionist Accounting and Administrative Support Data Analyst Office Manager and Accounting Assistant Endowment Administrator Accounting Support Director of Database and IT
OFFICERS TO M LO C K E C U RT I S V I C K C A N DY G R O S S DAV I D M C C A S K I L L GIL RENDLE JUSTIN GOULD L I S A G R E E N WO O D R O B E RT H O P P E PAT T I S I M M O N S JOHN THORNBURG K E R RY A F F L E R B AU G H S A R A B E LT R A N G E R RY S C H O E N I N G PAU L A S I N I PAT S Y W I L S O N
President Executive Vice President Senior Vice President Senior Vice President Senior Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President
in order to f i l l t h e n e t s , w e m u s t l e av e t h e s h o r e behind in s e a rch o f d e e p e r
wat e r s .
in order to fill the nets, w e m u s t l e av e t h e s h o r e b e h i n d i n s e a r c h o f d e e p e r w at e r s .
time to dive in.
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