Legislative Items to be discussed
Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase, Rev. Connie Gibson & Joe Holt, CPA
Since 2017, our conference has been using a Consent Calendar to expedite our business proceedings and allow us to focus on ministry reports and other celebrations. Except for items of business that seem to need more discussion or individual votes, most of our business is placed on this special docket and approved during the enabling motions of our conference’s opening session.
However, there are other legislative items that need more time for holy conferencing and votes. At this year’s annual conference, there are a number of items which will be dealt with by conference members on the legislative calendar.
Board of Pension and Health Benefits
Three pension and health benefit reports are provided each year for conference action. These will be presented on Friday morning.
Report 1 describes our conference retirement and pension benefits. Effective January 1, 2026, we have a new pension plan called Compass. This plan replaces the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP). Benefits earned through CRSP and prior retirement plans will be set aside in accounts for each clergy member, so no one loses previously earned benefits. The new Compass plan does not impact benefits for clergy who retire prior to January 1, 2026. A representative from Wespath will provide details for Compass during the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits report, as well as the clergy executive session.
This report also sets the past service annuity rate for the pre-1982 pension plan. The proposed amount reflects a 2% increase from the current rate. You will also note in that report that we have fully funded the pre-1982 pension plan.
Report 2 describes the active clergy health benefits with plan details and the 2026 rates for all participants in the plan. We are pleased to report that the Oklahoma Conference was only assessed an overall increase of 1% in our HealthFlex premiums for 2026, which is less than the increase for most conferences. This overall increase is reflected in the plan premiums for participants. There is no change in the amount billed to churches for their support of the health benefits for pastors.
Report 3 describes the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) stipend provided to eligible retirees to help pay for the retiree’s health care premiums or other health related expenses. This benefit is considered and only provided on a year-by-year basis. It is not a guaranteed, on-going plan. Clergy must have turned 60 years old by December 31, 2022 and must have at least 25 years of service to be eligible to receive the HRA.
Constitutional Amendments
As we have been promoting for quite some time, there are four amendments to the United Methodist constitution that will be voted on at this year’s session of annual conference.
These amendments have been approved by the General Conference, but also have to be approved by an aggregate of 2/3rds of those who vote on them in the annual conference sessions. During the conference session, debate can be offered regarding the amendments, but they cannot be amended or changed in any way. During the vote on these amendments which will take place on Thursday afternoon, only those who are allowed to vote will be seated by district on the floor of the Boston Avenue sanctuary.
More information about the amendments can be found here.
Council on Finance and Administration
The Council on Finance and Administration will present their report and the 2026 apportioned budget on Friday evening. The overall apportioned budget is being reduced by nearly 4%. However, larger reductions have been made to most of the General Church apportionments based on action at the 2024 meeting. There are no increases in conference programming budgets. Some of those areas are being decreased.
The biggest change you will see is the combining of the Equitable Compensation Fund with the Minister’s Moving Fund. The same commission administers both funds and will utilize available balances in those funds along with this reduced apportioned amount to fund requests for equitable compensation and moving expenses. This is a significant cost savings to the conference.
The conference budgeting process is an ongoing process of monitoring and evaluation, which is the responsibility of the Annual Conference Council as well as managing the process and providing oversight which is the responsibility of the Council on Finance and Administration. Both groups work in tandem throughout the year to bring you the best possible apportioned budget each year.
It is important to remember this budget, which is apportioned to each local church, is only one part of what it takes to operate the Oklahoma Annual Conference.