Friends,

At Annual Conference I had hoped to share an update from the Endowment Distribution Committee during our report, but time did not allow. I wanted to take this opportunity to share where the committee is, why we have made the decisions we have, and where we believe God is leading us.

For the past several years, the Endowment Distribution Committee has had the privilege of distributing funds entrusted to us by faithful saints who believed the Church should continue bearing fruit long after they were gone. Over the last three years, we have received an average of forty grant applications annually. That is a wonderful reminder that there is no shortage of creativity, passion, or ministry happening across the New Mexico Conference. Our churches and leaders continue to find meaningful ways to serve their communities and share the love of Christ.

After prayerful conversation and in alignment with the direction of our Bishop’s initiative, Pruning with Clarity, the committee has made the decision not to hold a grant cycle in 2026.

Part of that decision is practical. Conference finances require us to be thoughtful and responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us. But there is also a deeper reason. Sometimes faithfulness is not found in doing more. Sometimes faithfulness is found in stepping back long enough to discern what God is calling us to do next.

Jesus reminds us in John 15 that the gardener prunes the vine so that it may bear more fruit. Pruning can feel uncomfortable because it looks like loss. Growth slows. Things become quieter. Yet the purpose of pruning is never punishment. The purpose of pruning is always greater fruitfulness.

As we look ahead, we are asking whether we can be even more effective by building larger funds capable of supporting larger ministries. Rather than spreading resources across many worthy projects, can we invest in bold, creative, and even risk-taking ministries that meet people where they are and help the Church engage communities in new ways?

During Annual Conference, Bishop Carlo shared that he will be convening a financial summit bringing together leaders from several conference committees. I believe this is an important next step. It will allow us to continue the work of Pruning with Clarity by ensuring these ministries are not simply working alongside one another but are working together toward a common mission and shared vision for the future of our conference.

The saints who entrusted these resources to the Church did not simply leave us financial gifts. They left us a responsibility. They believed the Church should continue to dream, innovate, and faithfully follow where God is leading.

This season gives us an opportunity to listen carefully, pray deeply, and discern how these resources can bear the greatest fruit for the Kingdom of God. Our hope is not simply to preserve what has been entrusted to us, but to invest it in ways that will make a lasting impact for generations to come.

Thank you for your prayers, your partnership, and your commitment to the ministries of our conference. I am hopeful that this season of discernment will not diminish our ministry but strengthen it, so that together we move forward with greater clarity, greater purpose, and even greater fruitfulness for the Kingdom of God.

Grace and peace,
Rev. Dustin Burrow
Chair, Endowment Distribution Committee