The financial underwriting provided for the ministers of the denomination. Ministerial support includes salary, provision for housing, pension and disability benefits, life and health insurance. Each local church is responsible for providing this ministerial support for the ministers appointed to the church. In addition, each local church shares in the responsibility of undergirding the breadth of the ministry of the denomination. As well as supporting its own minister or ministers, it shares in providing minimum salary support for those who qualify, and in the support for the district superintendents and bishops.
Source: A Dictionary for United Methodists, Alan K. Waltz, Copyright 1991, Abingdon Press. Used by Permission.