tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17489911304840138142024-03-12T16:56:16.023-07:00A Good and Joyful ThingSusan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-81708709805912380872013-02-27T08:21:00.000-08:002013-02-27T08:22:31.775-08:00New Executive Council Budget Process<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At its February 2013 meeting, Executive Council approved a new, hopefully improved budgeting process, to result in the budget to be presented to the 2015 General Convention. I chaired the subcommittee that developed this budget process, which is outlined below. A couple of notes:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We understand that the Restructure Task Force will probably also be looking at the budgeting process, but whatever changes they propose will not take effect until after the 2015 General Convention. In the meantime, Executive Council is asked to propose a budget to PB&F for the 2015 GC.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A resolution at the 2012 General Convention asked the Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church to look at the budget process. We are in communication with SCSC, and two of their members served on our subcommittee. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is some unclarity in the canons as to responsibility for the budget - staff, Executive Council, and PB&F all taking a role. Executive Council will be looking at the canons, but in the meantime, we believe that we can all work together.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The new budget process and timeline is outlined below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Subcommittee Membership List</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Executive
Council Finances for Mission Group</u>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rev. Susan B.
Snook, <i>Subcommittee Chair</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ms. Tess Judge, <i>Subcommittee Vice</i> <i>Chair</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rt. Rev. Mark
Hollingsworth, <i>FFM Chair</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rev. Canon John
Floberg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Francisco
Quinones<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Executive
Council Governance and Ministry Group:</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Stephen
Hutchinson, <i>GAM Chair</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Program,
Budget, and Finance:</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rt. Rev.
Stephen Lane<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rev. Canon
Mally Ewing Lloyd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Standing
Commission on the Structure of the Church:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rev. Canon
Paul Lebens-Englund<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rt. Rev. David
Reed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Church Center
Staff:</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rt. Rev. Stacy
Sauls, <i>Chief Operating Officer</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Kurt Barnes, <i>Treasurer</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Subcommittee
on the Budget Process was formed by resolution of the Finances for Mission
group of Executive Council at its October 2012 meeting. The FFM members listed above were appointed
by FFM to the subcommittee. Other
subcommittee members were appointed jointly by Presiding Bishop Katharine
Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies Gay Jennings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The Subcommittee was charged with reviewing DFMS’
current budget procedures and proposing an improved budget process to Executive
Council, to result in the budget that will be submitted to the 78<sup>th</sup>
General Convention. </span><!--EndFragment-->
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><b>PROPOSED BUDGET PROCESS</b></span></div>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A budget is a
visionary document. Therefore, it should
be grounded in a high-level vision of what the church should be doing and
becoming. We propose referring to the
budget within Executive Council as the “DFMS Budget and Financial Statement of
Mission” in order to reflect its visionary nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A budget is a
fluid leadership document. It is
intended to provide guidance about vision and priorities, and resources
available to meet those priorities, while leaving enough flexibility to meet
changing circumstances.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the largest
sense, General Convention sets the vision for the church: for instance, in 2012
Convention gave strong support to the Five Marks of Mission as the basic
framework for our future ministries.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the governing
board of the churchwide structure when General Convention is not in session, it
is Executive Council’s appropriate role to flesh out General Convention’s
vision with specifics, and to propose new visionary activities for the
future. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Developing a
budget should be a process that includes wide consultation with Church Center
leadership / staff, and ministry leaders from the wider church. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
should reach out to others in the church for input about vision and priorities
in areas in which they are expert.
Vision and priorities should be considered and proposed by groups that
include Church Center staff, Executive Council liaisons, and ministry leaders
from across the church. We have just
such groups already appointed: the
Committees, Commissions, Agencies, and Boards (CCABs).</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Therefore, we are
proposing that we create a visionary / missionary budget process that includes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">High-level
visioning by Executive Council;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Strong input by
Church Center executive, finance, and program staff;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Early decision by
Executive Council on the basic framework for the budget to be proposed to
General Convention (e.g., Five Marks of Mission, or some other framework);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Early
consideration by Executive Council on preferred mechanisms for funding, such as
block grants, partnership with dioceses, etc.;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Simplification of
the way the budget is presented so that it is far more user-friendly and easy
to access and understand;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Early decision by
Executive Council on the diocesan asking formula that will be included in the
2015 Financial Statement of Mission proposal, with liaison work with House of
Bishops to increase commitment to the agreed asking formula;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">CCAB visioning
about their particular areas of ministry, in a process led by Executive Council
liaisons, with reporting back to Executive Council about proposed vision and
priorities;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">CCAB visioning
about their particular areas of ministry, in a process led by Executive Council
liaisons, with reporting back to Executive Council about proposed vision and
priorities;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Consolidation by
standing committees of Executive Council of vision and priorities in their
assigned areas of oversight, including staff assistance in assigning proposed
financial numbers to the identified priorities;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A leadership role
by the Church Center finance staff and the Finances for Mission group in
bringing all the financial requests together and creating a Financial Statement
of Mission proposal to bring to Executive Council;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Significant
advance work on the Financial Statement of Mission proposal, so that a draft
budget can be released to the public well in advance of the deadline for
handing it over to PB&F, and comments and changes can be considered before
the proposal is finalized;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Attendance at each
Executive Council and Finances for Mission meeting by at least one
representative of PB&F;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At least one joint
meeting with PB&F representatives during the triennium, to work on the
Financial Statement of Mission proposal;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Transparency
throughout the process, so that the public is well informed throughout of the
decisions being made;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ongoing
consideration of large decisions that may affect future expenditures, such as
the question of relocating the Church Center away from 815 Second Avenue. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please note that
there is some lack of clarity about budget roles and responsibilities in the
canons. The GAM standing commission of
Executive Council, under the leadership of Steve Hutchinson, will work during
this triennium to identify and propose any needed canonical changes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is acknowledged
throughout this process that although there is a clear handoff of the proposed
budget from Executive Council to PB&F during the February before each
Convention, the budget is not finalized until it is passed at General
Convention. PB&F customarily seeks
out information and clarification from Church Center leaders, Executive
Council, and the wider church during the months leading up to Convention, as
well as at the hearings at Convention itself.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is a proposed timeline that addresses how the budget process would
unfold under this proposal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">FINANCIAL
STATEMENT OF MISSION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">PROPOSED
TIMELINE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>February 2013</u>:
Executive Council begins overall visioning process, possibly using some
of the processes from the Art of Hosting.
Questions to be addressed:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is the state
of The Episcopal Church today and what are our dreams and hopes for its
future? Where does God seem to be
leading our church? What kind of
ministries and actions will help us realize our hopes & dreams? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is the
appropriate role of the churchwide structure in encouraging ministry and church
development, and what is the appropriate role of diocesan / local structures? What should the churchwide structure be
doing?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What will be the
framework for the 2015 proposed budget?
Five Marks of Mission? Other
goals and objectives? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are the
priorities for the budget? What ministries are of particular importance at this
time? This question will be considered initially by Executive Council at the
February 2013 meeting, and refined after input is received from staff and CCAB
leadership.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">General guidelines
for this budget process (i.e., this document) to be proposed for approval by
Executive Council.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
and staff liaisons to CCABs will be given initial instructions as to their role
in helping guide CCABs through a budget discernment process. Further training to be provided via email and
conference call during April.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
will issue a news release to the public about the proposed budget process, and
a more detailed request to CCABs, informing them of their increased role in
setting budget priorities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
will review and approve specific qualification and application guidelines for
receiving General Convention funding. It
is expected that applicants will provide clear and measurable objectives and
priorities so that accountability for the use of grant funds is possible.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April 2013<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
and staff liaisons to CCABs will receive additional, more detailed training in
guiding the CCABs through a vision and priorities discernment process. Training will include the process to follow
and the exact questions to be asked in setting priorities. CCABs will begin
work in May on creating budget priorities for their areas.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>June 2013</u>:
Executive Council meets, considers additional questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How and when will
the leadership of TEC provide input as to direction and goals for the budget?
(What current work needs more time to develop? What ineffective work should
sunset? What new work needs to be begun?) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Church Center
staff who are not associated with CCABs would provide dream budget requests to
Church Center finance staff.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are the
preferred mechanisms for funding programs? (Grants, matching funds, collaboration
between TEC / dioceses?) Staff/budget
implications?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are the
preferred mechanisms for funding programs? (Grants, matching funds, collaboration
between TEC / dioceses?) Staff/budget
implications?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What should be the
diocesan asking formula for the 2015-2018 triennium? What is the strategy by which we will engage
the church in that discussion?</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>September 2013</u>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deadline for CCABs
to submit budget priorities to staff.
Staff liaisons will work with Church Center finance staff and the Chief
Operating Officer to assign financial numbers to the identified
priorities. Initial financial requests
will be submitted to the Standing Committees of Executive Council associated
with each CCAB.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Representative(s)
from Executive Council to attend the House of Bishops meeting Sept. 19-24 to
discuss the proposed diocesan asking for the next triennium, and encourage
commitment to meeting the requested asking.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>October 2013</u>: Executive
Council meets and considers the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Any unresolved
questions from the above discussions at Executive Council to be considered at
this meeting. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
liaisons and staff to make initial reports to Standing Committees about the
budget priorities received from CCABs, and the associated financial requests.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All financial
requests, including those of Standing Committees of Executive Council, to be
provided to Church Center finance staff.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>February 2014</u>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finance staff
reports to FFM on an initial draft budget, taking into account the input from
the CCABs. “Dream budget” document created.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council is
notified of totals and begins to consider how priorities already identified
should be addressed. Which requested
areas should be given higher priority?
What ongoing projects could be eliminated or reduced? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
reconsiders the following questions:
what are the priorities for the budget? What ministries are of
particular importance at this time? (Youth and young adult, empowerment
ministries, church plants, enterprise zones, etc.) This question was considered initially by
Executive Council at the February 2013 meeting, and will be refined now that
input has been received from staff and CCAB leadership.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Note that the open
question on the location of The Church Center and the move away from New York
will greatly impact the budget. This question will be considered as part of the
ongoing decision and budget process. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>February to
June 2014</u>: Finance staff takes Executive Council
priorities and constituent group requests and creates budget proposal using
Executive Council input on priorities.
Draft budget is brought to FFM at June 2014 meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A joint meeting
with PB&F should occur at either the February or June 2014 meetings, to
review budget assumptions and to consider any suggested changes from PB&F.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Executive Council
and staff liaisons work further with CCABs to inform them of initial budget
decisions and work with them on any requested changes. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>June 2014</u>: FFM
considers staff draft in detail. FFM
approves a draft budget. Provides info
to Executive Council so that Standing Committees can work on their budget areas
during the interval between June and October, and submit any requested changes
in time for the October meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>October 2014</u>: Executive Council discusses draft budget
proposal, considers whether priorities have been addressed, makes any necessary
changes, and approves a draft proposed budget.
Draft budget released to public and opened for comments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>February 2015</u>:
Comments on draft budget considered and final budget proposal approved
and handed off to PB&F. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-55274825799979102322013-02-11T19:31:00.002-08:002013-02-11T19:35:33.014-08:00Ashes to Stay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4T_Gzdvo0m5-Gqw1o4rtaB52Zj2m4gzHPjQtoAoFeSI1r0vhEIXd15ARx6SYhSNgGhjCLJAGDNT4cCBWn0412ncU6BvyhtOoZ0bkaK1VvCfzEU3g4BI7z7pz8vex0GCJLJvADLLHVqYt/s1600/Girl-ashes-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4T_Gzdvo0m5-Gqw1o4rtaB52Zj2m4gzHPjQtoAoFeSI1r0vhEIXd15ARx6SYhSNgGhjCLJAGDNT4cCBWn0412ncU6BvyhtOoZ0bkaK1VvCfzEU3g4BI7z7pz8vex0GCJLJvADLLHVqYt/s320/Girl-ashes-3.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Everett Lees, the priest at Christ Church Tulsa, has a great <a href="http://the8thday.posterous.com/ashes-to-where-53805" target="_blank">blog post</a> about Ashes to Go. For those who don't know, Ashes to Go is all the rage in The Episcopal Church. A priest will go out into the public square (train station, etc.) on Ash Wednesday and offer ashes, with the traditional words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." People who don't have time to go to church that morning - or who forgot it was Ash Wednesday, or who have no idea what Ash Wednesday even is - have the chance to get their ashes and experience a holy moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Everett disagrees with the concept of Ashes to Go, and I agree with Everett. Go and read his <a href="http://the8thday.posterous.com/ashes-to-where-53805" target="_blank">blog post</a> - I'll wait. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And now that you've read what Everett has to say, here's what I want to add. Taking the gospel to the streets is a great thing, and I applaud it, and I appreciate what those who do Ashes to Go are doing, and their reasons for doing it. I just don't agree with it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love Everett's ideas for how to take the gospel out into the world, such as foot-washing to go, healing to go, etc. I can imagine me, back in the old days, having forgotten my Christian upbringing in the hustle and bustle of my business career, being touched by God in an unexpected way during my morning commute or whatever, and feeling grateful. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Ash Wednesday? Surely there are more enlightening ways to touch people with God's grace. Leaving aside the facts Everett points out - that this quick "ashing" comes without repentance, and directly countermands what Jesus tells us to do in the Ash Wednesday gospel - that is, don't wear your piety on your forehead for all to see and congratulate, but practice it quietly - there are other problems. After all, what is the most immediate experience of getting "ashed"? It is a reminder of our mortality: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Really? If we are going to touch a person with the Christian message once in an entire year, that's how we want to do it? With a reminder of our mortality? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite holy days of the year. But Ash Wednesday makes sense only at the beginning of a season that ends with Easter. Lent begins with a reminder of our mortality, the dust that our bodies will become, but it ends with a tomb that is not dusty, but empty. We Christians are not death people - we are resurrection people. We are people who proclaim that God loves us, forgives us, and desires that we should cast off our sins and live. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's take the <i>Easter</i> message to the streets. Let's repent of our sins and acknowledge our mortality, surrounded by the love of a church community. And then let's proclaim <i>resurrection</i> from the housetops, to go. "<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><b>Go</b> therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-38088121627712821542013-01-01T16:57:00.000-08:002013-01-01T16:57:30.057-08:00The Burnout Season<span style="font-size: large;">My Facebook feed is full of people making cheery New Year's resolutions. Exercise! Pray! Write scintillating articles! Read the Bible in a year! Get more rest! Take a Sabbath each week! Take long hikes! Bike 10 miles a day! Do good deeds to change the world! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEBj4mm7iF-by9-qwqneXVM1aij16_hoBdEarQK8EYCm1VyDlnf69mt2Nbrgx0EkSmgFA7QElcr_RRWJ106hDL2AFI3WSybzoJbTPduDAOqCsc8z3pjWyN7Mr_sgoUT9WM-3rjQzBCCE9/s1600/new+years+res.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEBj4mm7iF-by9-qwqneXVM1aij16_hoBdEarQK8EYCm1VyDlnf69mt2Nbrgx0EkSmgFA7QElcr_RRWJ106hDL2AFI3WSybzoJbTPduDAOqCsc8z3pjWyN7Mr_sgoUT9WM-3rjQzBCCE9/s320/new+years+res.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am all admiration for these amazing ambitions. I just have one question: where do you get the energy? Especially for those of you who are worn-out, maxed-out post-Christmas clergy like me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Really? You can make plans for the future? It was all I could do to get myself to church on time last Sunday.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSs4-8odYc8lrgkYnVczmgNRNwrzaLZD_U4E2V6klQ8SXl4tZDE0rS-1-zSl-M7jldlKfNJHxTtRUntccxKSsU9UrBkndT7CKUcAyL-hI9vsg8K_fGLAr-qFaF2uIjK0YVoDlKeBfePpX/s1600/Sleepy-polar-bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSs4-8odYc8lrgkYnVczmgNRNwrzaLZD_U4E2V6klQ8SXl4tZDE0rS-1-zSl-M7jldlKfNJHxTtRUntccxKSsU9UrBkndT7CKUcAyL-hI9vsg8K_fGLAr-qFaF2uIjK0YVoDlKeBfePpX/s320/Sleepy-polar-bear.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Admitted, my Advent this year was more taxing than ever before: after an intense two years of planning, fundraising, and preparing, our congregation moved to a wonderful new building on December 9, with our Grand Opening service on December 16, followed in short order by, you know, Christmas. Moving into a new church building involves an incredible amount of work, from unpacking boxes to deciding on placement of art to completely re-training the ushers, altar guild, chalicists, acolytes and lectors. And then re-adjusting everything when it doesn't work out quite right the first Sunday. Tell me again about peaceful waiting in Advent? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But it's not just me and my situation - there are times when all clergy and lay church leaders fall into exhaustion, when we don't have the energy to think ahead, when one more hospital visit, meeting, or liturgy feels like it might just drive us over the edge. Not to mention having zero energy left over for getting out into the community and reaching new people in new ways, where they are rather than where the church is. I believe in doing these things! But how do I do them when I am exhausted?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJp3L4RuOsDM52eshnkM0rNKiOrATXWV8emg0_BVnNeIui0Fh8BLgVDrxHSU4Hq_w6BhK_8V2hT0q6ukS_iMuAeRH5JDbbxSGrxT-9-_tdBbkggNeBZztnAqlbCVMbTtrf0jHraalHkQ7/s1600/exhausted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJp3L4RuOsDM52eshnkM0rNKiOrATXWV8emg0_BVnNeIui0Fh8BLgVDrxHSU4Hq_w6BhK_8V2hT0q6ukS_iMuAeRH5JDbbxSGrxT-9-_tdBbkggNeBZztnAqlbCVMbTtrf0jHraalHkQ7/s320/exhausted.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have to add that it's not just clergy who find themselves burned out. I had a ten-year career in public accounting, and I got plenty burned out then, too. I have lots of parishioners who work just as hard as I do, and some who work harder for lower pay. We clergy shouldn't fall into a poor-me trap of thinking we are uniquely put-upon. Think about public school teachers if you want to consider a noble, service-oriented, hardworking, and vastly underpaid profession! But I guess I somehow believed when I embarked upon this career that serving Jesus would make me more joyful, less stressful than serving my accounting clients was. And it is, most of the time. But then there come those times of exhaustion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And oh yes - those times hit Jesus, too. Witness the gospel stories of Jesus retiring to a secluded place to pray, and being followed by the crowds. He seemed to react the same way I do - sighing and then pleasantly doing what the crowds required. I'm not much like Jesus, most of the time - but I certainly identify with him in the stories where he is worn-out and stressed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So that's the question, Gentle Reader. How do we replenish ourselves in times like this? How do we keep on leading our congregations in accomplishing Christ's mission - that mission we have devoted our professional lives to, in which we passionately believe - when we feel like empty, burned-out vessels, with very little left to give? Where do we find the spiritual reserves to do that joyful, life-transforming mission that we are called to do?</span>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-68437426636359092832012-11-17T08:52:00.002-08:002012-11-17T09:01:39.970-08:00CCABs: Let the Holy Spirit Blow!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsViW76HAZA9t3w5rKT4yaxo3K3Gs0cKs2ZfBdYCsCiputtjznfKqOVqBHjezn7p7DVHpCpMf6xeyJMmLf2X5heq5pJUB6rvOwq3b1RGsc90gAnFwtDsl3MVTm-Eo8fvq2zBEMl45lbH-n/s1600/SCME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsViW76HAZA9t3w5rKT4yaxo3K3Gs0cKs2ZfBdYCsCiputtjznfKqOVqBHjezn7p7DVHpCpMf6xeyJMmLf2X5heq5pJUB6rvOwq3b1RGsc90gAnFwtDsl3MVTm-Eo8fvq2zBEMl45lbH-n/s320/SCME.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've just returned from a
gathering in St. Louis of the Committees, Commissions, Agencies, and Boards of
The Episcopal Church, where some 200-250 people gathered to advance the work of
the church. I serve as the Executive
Council liaison to the Standing Commission on Mission and Evangelism (SCME),
and I found myself in the room with some very bright and passionate people. Here's a nice picture of them! This group was ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work empowering
Episcopal evangelism and mission. When
you gather so many talented people together, it is always an opportunity for
synergy, for the Holy Spirit to begin to blow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet we immediately ran
into a roadblock, and that was the very nature of our mandate. Pay attention
here, Restructure Task Force Players-to-be-Named-Later, because I heard a
similar frustration coming from members of at least four other CCABs. That
frustration is this: CCABs are not actually supposed to DO anything. All we are supposed to do is think up ideas
and draft legislation for the next General Convention to approve or
reject. Here is the stated mandate of
the SCME:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #343434;">CANON
I.1.2(n) (4) A Standing Commission on the Mission and Evangelism of The
Episcopal Church. It shall be the duty of the Commission <b><u>to identify, study and consider policies, priorities and concerns</u></b>
as to the effectiveness of The Episcopal Church in advancing, within this
Church’s jurisdictions, God’s mission to restore all people to unity with God
and each other in Christ, including patterns and directions for evangelism,
Church planting, leadership development, and ministries that engage the
diversity of the Church’s membership and the communities it serves, <b><u>and to make recommendations to General
Convention</u></b>. <i>(emphasis mine)</i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Get it? You gather a group
of bright, talented leaders in the church, experts in their various fields,
representing the diversity of the church in age, ethnicity, ordination status,
etc., get them excited about a particular area of mission, and then tell them
they can't actually DO anything. You pay $1,100 per person for an in-person
meeting of hundreds of people, to be repeated at least once and maybe more
during the triennium, and the end product of all this work is ... The Blue
Book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Look, I am a General
Convention nerd, and I like the Blue Book (whatever color it happens to be) as
much as anyone. But is legislation really the appropriate work product for such
an amazing and talented group of leaders spending that much time and that much
money? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If so, let's follow a
chain of events through to their natural conclusion. Last triennium, at the end
of its three years together, the SCME proposed several resolutions, including
A072, (to see the resolution, <a href="http://www.generalconvention.org/gc/resolutions" target="_blank">click here</a> and scroll down to A072, then click “English current” on the right-hand side). A072 adds a canonical requirement that new
ordained and lay pastoral leaders be trained as missional leaders in
evangelism, cross-cultural competency, non-profit leadership, empowering lay
leadership, etc. Terrific, right? Such training could provide great hope for a
new generation of leaders now emerging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But how are dioceses and
seminaries supposed to provide such training? Should each one reinvent the
wheel in its own way? Under our polity, they certainly have the right to do so
(and some will choose simply to ignore the new rules). But maybe it would be
helpful to overworked leaders to have some common resources to draw from should
they choose to do so. And in fact, there
are a number of groups working on missional leadership development across the
church. Wouldn't it be a great idea to get them together and encourage them to
share or even create a set of common resources, even possibly a curriculum, in
missional leadership training, that dioceses and seminaries could draw from? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When this idea was
proposed, it got a lot of energy. Yet then someone reminded us of our mandate:
we're not supposed to DO stuff (like gather people together to follow up on
A072 and share resources), we're just supposed to write a Blue Book report. The only time a CCAB is allowed to DO
something is if past GC legislation specifically directed them to do it (and
there were no specific directions in A072).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if the SCME thinks a
leadership development gathering should happen and a curriculum should be
developed, we should, I guess, write a resolution, hope it passes in 2015, hope
it gets funded sometime, hope it gets put at the top of some 815 staff person's
priority list (should there still be an 815 staff person at that time), and
hope the gathering happens by 2018 so we can start training the post-Millennial
generation to be missional leaders by about 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was at this point in
our group's discussion that I made the following point, which I subsequently
tweeted: <b>We are not over-burdened in The
Episcopal Church with too many people doing evangelism. Let's go ahead and do
it now. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(For the benefit of those
who are concerned about the "rules," we found a way to make our
gathering fit within our mandate. It could be possible if we get grant funding
from outside the TEC budget, which we will apply for. And the end product of the gathering can
certainly be "advice" to General Convention. I'm sure we will write a
resolution of some sort. But how silly, really, that a proposed resolution is
the only acceptable outcome of our work.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's the point: if we
are appointing members of CCABs to talk about a subject, and they have some
helpful ideas and the energy to accomplish them, why not use this set of
talented and passionate leaders to take action right now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll tell you why not.
<i>Because we have somehow gotten ourselves to the point where we think that
legislation is an effective form of ministry.
That if something is important, it should be decided by a cumbersome and
expensive legislative process, complete with officially sanctioned committees,
proposals, amendments, rules of order, and majority votes. That the proper
function of General Convention is to micro-manage every aspect of our common
life, and that nothing can be done until General Convention agrees to do it. </i></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Which
is why, for instance, Convention had to vote last year on many supplemental but
unnecessary liturgical resources created by the Standing Commission on Liturgy
and Music, which some 1,000 deputies and bishops had to read, critique, and
vote on. The SCLM couldn’t just create
lovely resources and submit them to Forward Movement or Church Publishing for people to
use if they wished. Their work could ONLY result in
legislation of “official” resources.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There ARE things that
legislation is vital to achieve. Ordination of women, a process for Title IV
disciplinary proceedings, ordination requirements, blessing of same-sex unions,
revision of the prayer book (but please God, not anytime soon!), funding and
budgets - all these are vital issues of church policy that our legislature
should decide. Legislation is necessary to decide what the rules are, what the
boundaries are, how much money we have, and what we are NOT allowed to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But the belief that
legislation is necessary before anyone can do any actual ministry is, I
believe, a sign of high anxiety in our church.</i>
If we don’t believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to do something, or if
we have no idea what God is calling us to do, we fall back on administrative
permission-giving, rules and procedures.
Don’t know how to do evangelism?
Let’s write legislation about it!
Until the legislation is passed, though, no one better take an
unauthorized step to empower evangelism!
It might be against the rules! (Which
was not a concern of Philip’s in Acts Chapter 8, I might add.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course that is
absurd. Legislation is not necessary to
accomplish ministry. What is necessary to accomplish ministry is the Holy
Spirit's call and the human being's answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Restructure Task Force,
pay attention. Let's restructure ourselves to encourage ministry, not limit it
and frustrate it and shut it down when it threatens to appear, like in the
CCABs that are yearning to take action, not write legislation. Let's limit the
legislative work of General Convention to matters that require it, such as
finances and boundaries. (Hey, maybe we
could even reduce General Convention's length!) Let's gather leaders in CCABs,
yes, but let's empower them to do non-legislative ministry. Especially as we
move away from a strong-staff structure (because budget cuts will mean more
staff cuts are coming), let's let the volunteers who are passionate about the
work of the church DO the work of the church. Let's let the Holy Spirit blow. Because this time in our church is a time for
the Holy Spirit. Not a time for legislation.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-29076544620864009712012-10-08T15:07:00.000-07:002012-10-08T15:07:45.370-07:00Strategic Discernment, Not Strategic Planning<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">I have participated in four separate strategic
planning processes in various churches.
They each followed a different methodology, and each had similar
results:</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A group of dedicated people got together and worked
very hard over several long meetings to create a plan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A facilitator led us through a well-organized
set of exercises to encourage everyone to contribute her or his ideas for the
future.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">With the facilitator’s help, we took a world
of information and reshaped it into a set of goals and priorities, with
timelines and responsibility assignments.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A beautifully packaged plan was created,
summarized, presented, and affirmed by vestry vote.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">In each case, we looked at the final product
and felt in some unidentifiable way that something vital was missing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The plan went onto the shelf and, after some
initial attempts to follow up on identified action steps, was never seen again.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">I know that the “shelf” is a common
destination point for strategic plans in all kinds of organizations, not just
the church.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">But after the last time I
experienced this life-draining process, I started thinking: maybe the church,
of all places, is not the place to be doing strategic planning.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">This is not to say that the church should just
drift along and let happen whatever may.
That’s how we fall into bad habits and start believing that the church
exists for the benefit of its members, and everyone who should be a member
already is a member. Our natural human
tendency is to serve ourselves before we serve others; it takes vision and
planning to remember that we have a broader mission to accomplish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">But the church is uniquely a Spirit-led
organization, or should be. And the
Spirit is full of surprises we can’t anticipate or plan for. It would be difficult to imagine the apostles
in Acts 7 sitting down for a strategic planning session and determining that
the next logical step would be to go out to the Gaza Road and wait for an
Ethiopian eunuch to come along. Who
would ever think to do that? Who would
imagine that that young man holding the coats while Stephen was stoned in Acts
7 would turn into the greatest evangelist in world history in Acts 9? Who would have suggested that Peter go to
sleep and arrange for a dream involving unclean animals on a sheet descending
from heaven in Acts 10? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">In my church experience, most of the great steps
forward I have seen weren’t planned.
They happened: the right person came along, the right location became
available, someone heard a call from God they couldn’t ignore. Yes, we channeled those outpourings of the
Spirit in organized and planned directions, but they came to us as gifts from
God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">This is why, as the church plant I lead is
entering into a vitally important new phase (a move to our first permanent
building), we are not doing strategic planning.
We are doing strategic discernment.
Where is God leading us? is the question we are asking. We are not asking for a list of ideas, or a
list of problems to solve, or a list of good stories that highlight the
strengths we want to build on. We are
praying and discerning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">The process that we have designed starts with
an extended period of meditative prayer (as opposed to what I have often
experienced before – a perfunctory one-paragraph petition for God’s guidance
before we get down to the real business of the meeting). It continues with an extended “African” Bible
study of Luke 10:1-12 (one of the classic passages on evangelism). It then proceeds with some creative exercises
to encourage people to use right-brain powers to envision God’s plan for the future. Only after all those exercises do we start
working on goals, priorities, and problems.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">In other words, this process is our attempt to
let our own thoughts and plans take a step back, and ask God to open our minds
to God’s thoughts and plans. It is a
process of strategic discernment, not strategic planning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">Here are the details of how we have done this process:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">1. Open the team meeting with prayer. This is not a prayer where you read words
while everyone bows their head, then move on to the real business of the
meeting. This is prayer for
discernment. Tell the group that you are
going to take some time for silence. Ask
them to make themselves comfortable, flatten feet on the floor, close eyes,
etc. If they wish to sit or lie on the
floor, that’s fine. Take a few minutes
to help them silence themselves. Ask
them to breathe deeply and lead them through a relaxation exercise, head to
toes. Then, after some silence, invite
the Holy Spirit to speak into our hearts, saying something like, “Holy Spirit,
we are gathered in your presence today to hear your words … Please speak your
words into our hearts … Help us to hear what you want to say … Help us to see
your vision for each one of us, and for your church.” Pause for more silence, then invite people
when they are ready to open their eyes and join the group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">2. Continue with team Bible study of Luke
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Ask
someone to read the passage through once out loud. Tell the group to pay attention as the
passage is read and think about: </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">what word or phrase caught your attention in this
passage, or what would you like to ask a Bible scholar more about the meaning
of?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Ask
the full group to divide up into small groups of three.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Take 5-10 minutes and ask the small groups to
share their answer to the first question.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Bring
the full group back together and ask for sample responses to the question (not
a formal reporting process, just sample responses from a number of
people).</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Similar insights and questions
will probably begin to emerge.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Record
them on a flipchart.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Have
someone read the passage through a second time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Tell them to pay attention to the following question: what does this
passage mean for my/our ministry at Nativity during the next ten years?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Divide
them into the small groups of three again and give them 10-15 minutes to share
in response.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Bring
the full group together and ask for sample responses.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Record the responses on a flipchart.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Have
someone read the passage through aloud a third time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Tell them that the question to ask this time
is: what is God calling us to do in our group’s ministry at Nativity during the
next year?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Divide
them into small groups and have them share for 10-15 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Bring
the full group together and record responses.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Pay attention to patterns that emerge.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Put
the flipchart pages on the walls around the room so everyone can see them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calisto MT;">3. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Hand out paper and crayons, and ask each
person to draw a picture or symbol that gives an image of the insights they got
from the Bible study, something that would represent what they believe God is
calling your group’s ministry at Nativity to become.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Give them 5 minutes to complete this
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">4. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Go around the room and ask each person to
share their picture and describe what it represents.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">On a flipchart, record insights or different
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">5. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Together, begin to describe what God is
calling your group’s ministry to look like ten years from now.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">What happens in the ministry?</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Who is involved?</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">What kind of spiritual growth and
discipleship is happening in the ministry?</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">What kind of people are leading it and participating in it?</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">How is this ministry reaching out to new
people who are not yet a part of the church?</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">How is it building ones who have been around longer into better
disciples?</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">How is it transforming lives?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">6. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Together, create a short news story that
describes your group’s ministry as it exists ten years from now.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">What is it doing, how are people growing,
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">7. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Now,
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What
kind of resources do you need – personnel, money, time?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What
work needs to be done to make that vision a reality?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What
contribution will this ministry make to the full Nativity family?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">How
will this ministry transform lives with the love of Jesus Christ?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">8. From there, each group reports to the vestry, and the vestry identifies over-arching themes, agrees on its top three or four priorities for the coming year, decides how to allocate resources to those priorities, communicates the priorities to the ministry groups, and asks each ministry group to be in charge of implementation and accountability. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: large;">I am not saying that this process is the best
possible way to do visioning in the church.
But we have had good results so far.
The group leaders (who are ministry leaders working with their ministry
groups) report terrific, Spirit-filled visioning sessions. The groups have come up with amazingly
coherent plans that, without much effort on the part of the vestry, naturally
highlight three or four clear, over-arching priorities. Every group has, in one way or another,
identified evangelism and discipleship growth as a clear strategic
priority. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">How have you done strategic discernment in
your congregation?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-58376661551716920962012-09-18T11:25:00.001-07:002012-09-18T11:25:10.163-07:00The First Mark of Mission
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<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">If you had asked me after the 2009 General
Convention what I thought of the church’s chances of surviving more than
another 50 years, I would have sighed deeply and asked you to pray for a
miracle. If you had asked me the same question
after the 2012 General Convention, I would have said that maybe, just maybe, a
miracle is starting to occur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Omnibus Resolution on Restructuring was a
truly hopeful development, passing both houses unanimously, to great
rejoicing. But if restructuring is only
about creating a different framework to contain the same arguments, it’s not
going to take us where we need to go.
What we need in the church is a reawakening. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">At Convention, I saw movements beginning to
spring up, often among younger clergy and lay people, eager to jump start evangelism
and mission in our church. The Acts 8
Moment was one; Episcopal Evangelism Network is a second. But these are movements on the fringes – do
we have a hope of bringing them to the center?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">I think we do, for the most prosaic of
reasons: the budget. Unlike the disaster
of the 2009 budget, the disaster of the 2012 budget led to … wait for it … new
hope. Each of the Five Marks of Mission
received a pool of money to pay for new mission initiatives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">My special area of interest is the First Mark
of Mission (on which all the others depend, according to the official statement
on the Anglican Communion website): To
proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
This Mark could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it assuredly
includes ministries of evangelism. The
budget allocated $2 million over three years to this Mark, which is intended to
include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The “Mission Enterprise Zones” of Resolution
A073</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Church Planting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Funding for the Latino/Hispanic Strategic Plan
which was passed with overwhelming support in 2009</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">The budget left it to Executive Council to
decide how the money was to be allocated.
At the invitation of Bishop Stacy Sauls, I attended a gathering last
week of church leaders who were convened to advise Church Center management in
creating a proposal to bring to the Executive Council meeting in October. The meeting included:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Two members of Executive Council (Stephanie
Cheney and me);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Three former or new members of Program,
Budget, and Finance (Bishop Alan Scarfe, Frank Logue, and Victoria Heard);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Five members of Church Center staff (Bishop
Stacy Sauls, Sam McDonald, Tom Brackett, Kirk Hadaway, and Anthony Guillen);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Five current or former church planters
(Victoria Heard, Frank Logue, Stephanie Spellers, Lang Lowrey, and me – some of
us fall into two categories);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A representative from the church planting
office of the ELCA (Mary Frances).</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">The group was clear that it was Executive
Council’s job to decide how to allocate the funds, and this group was simply there
to advise management on a proposal to bring to Executive Council. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t want to go into details about the
proposal we came up with, partly because Executive Council might decide to go
in a different direction, and partly because we left a few issues unresolved
(to be addressed via email). However,
here are some highlights of our gathering:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Frank Logue and I led Acts 8-type Bible study
and prayer sessions the two days we gathered.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The whole gathering was thereby framed in the Acts 8 paradigm – we are
in a new era of the church, being scattered somewhat fearfully into unfamiliar
territory, yet finding new ways to proclaim the gospel to new people.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A short discussion of the difference between
the three categories of ministry the money covers:</span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Mission
Enterprise Zones are diocesan-level ministries with underserved populations,
e.g., people in cultures and ethnicities under-represented in The Episcopal
Church, youth and young adults, low-income people, etc.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A073 provided up to $20,000 for such projects
(the diocese has to provide matching funds).</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The group felt very strongly that these ministries should lead to the
creation of a worshiping community (e.g., these are not soup kitchens, though
soup kitchens may be involved).</span></ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Church
plants are new worshiping communities that are intended to be permanent and
(eventually) self-sustaining. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">They could
receive grants of amounts to be determined by Executive Council.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The group felt that grants of up to $100,000
per project would be reasonable over a three-year period.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The diocese would have to match the funds.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Latino-Hispanic
ministries could fall into either category above, and might have some special
provisions.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></ul>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Since the budget passed by General Convention
is not clear about how to allocate the $2 million between the three purposes
(Mission Enterprise Zones, church planting, and Latino/Hispanic ministries), we
are suggesting that it is best not to arbitrarily divide the money between
these three categories.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Our hope is that
the grants committee, whoever that turns out to be, would have discretion to
determine which projects to fund (with carefully determined criteria).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">We got great help and counsel from Mary
Frances, the ELCA representative.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">They
are light-years ahead of us on church planting, and the funds they allocate
make ours pale in comparison.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">They are
willing to advise and possibly even partner with us on some projects.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A small thing that was of some personal
interest to me: I really enjoyed getting to know Bishop Alan Scarfe.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">He told some inspiring stories of mission
during his young-adult days in England and Romania.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">He also said that he had never been in a room
with church planters before, and he found it very inspiring.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What a revelation!</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">I guess we church planters are unusual
creatures, at that.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">But I wonder how it’s
different to be in a room with us!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span style="font-size: large;">We spent some time “dreaming” about how to
start a movement in the church. One of
the fears we share is that there just won’t be enough novel and exciting
projects out there to fund, which have sufficient diocesan buy-in to provide
matching funds. We didn’t figure out
this question – how to start a missional movement. Acts 8 folks: what do you think? How do we start the church dreaming? How do we midwife a new missional movement in
the church? How do we respond to our
Acts 8 Moment? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-83070159410740945082012-08-27T16:29:00.000-07:002012-08-27T17:20:24.192-07:00Standing in the Presence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrtubQFHkzoLyVa6cGoy25eioUd8xeBW0xTdJnpUfjkYWaZScFvRiTLm0A4CTHYpnmoxUL6_OjlTHnXRRcpOmRaN4gTQypgBB3-3ypHrdN1pYI7IenGm9OidYvvlH1t1OTW1ECUEK0d5o/s1600/SmithLauraGifts600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrtubQFHkzoLyVa6cGoy25eioUd8xeBW0xTdJnpUfjkYWaZScFvRiTLm0A4CTHYpnmoxUL6_OjlTHnXRRcpOmRaN4gTQypgBB3-3ypHrdN1pYI7IenGm9OidYvvlH1t1OTW1ECUEK0d5o/s320/SmithLauraGifts600.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
In the sanctuary of Church of the Nativity, Scottsdale, where I serve, one of our most cherished items is our icon of the Annunciation. This is a true icon, written by <a href="http://www.ikonarts.net/icons_in_private_collections" target="_blank">Laura Fisher Smith</a>, a noted iconographer (as well as the wife of +Kirk Smith, our diocesan bishop). <br />
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This Annunciation is different from most traditional depictions of this event, because we don't see the angel. We see Mary, a simple peasant girl, at the moment when the angel comes to her. Eyes closed, hands uplifted in an attitude of prayer, we see her experiencing God's call to her. <br />
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Laura created this icon after a great deal of prayer, and after she and I had discussed our vision for this Annunciation icon. We made the conscious decision not to depict the angel Gabriel, for who can really say what an angel looks like? Surely all the gold and halos in the world cannot depict the sheer power and terror of standing in the presence of an angel. <br />
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But if we cannot imagine the appearance of an angel, surely we can imagine what a human being looks like who is open to the news an angel brings. Mary, in our icon, is praying, open, humble. She seems to be bathed in light from above. She is preparing herself to say, "Let it be with me according to your word."<br />
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I thought of this icon last week as our diocesan clergy attended a seminar on preaching as spiritual direction. Our keynote speaker, Kay Northcutt, has written a book called <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindling-Desire-God-Preaching-Spiritual/dp/0800662636/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346109725&sr=8-1&keywords=kindling+the+desire+for+god" target="_blank">Kindling Desire for God: Preaching as Spiritual Direction</a>,</i> in which she says that the true task of the preacher is not to explain, counsel, or entertain, but to act as spiritual director to the congregation. In this role, we should help people who are yearning for God's presence to begin to experience it. <br />
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Northcutt says that in our over-busy world, people are hungry for an experience of God. How do we provide that in worship? How do we help our congregations to learn spiritual disciplines that will open their hearts and minds to God's voice? I interpreted Kay's model of the preacher as spiritual director as meaning that in preaching, we help people to ask questions about real-life experience like, where is God in this? How is God calling to me right here and now? The preacher then becomes the one who teaches spiritual disciplines to open our minds and hearts, and who calls the congregation to a life of noticing God's presence and handiwork. <br />
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In our Acts 8 gatherings at General Convention, I think that many of us experienced an openness to God's presence, through Bible study, prayer, and dreaming together about what the church could be. Now that we are home, how can we call our congregations and our church into a practice of openness to God's presence? How can each of us act as spiritual directors to a yearning world?Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-51144617990109634982012-08-20T15:57:00.001-07:002012-08-20T16:00:26.732-07:00Restructuring and Reawakening<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been fairly silent since returning home from General Convention - partly because I came home, did my laundry, and headed out the next day on my family vacation. We made it as far as St. Petersburg, Russia, this year - here's a photo for you:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PayagEaEEUvDtusZ6IvS5WBCwlGBe5Qfowq1MRFw3tBK0EKsbCFB2lWS4SzpZvtu63_ooCK2q_5-fq9BC3R73yn0vUyn2drxDdKWnAWCN4tN32U4lQLSLwvpjZ_OyzgEcCQ6ohm4aPgg/s1600/St.+Savior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PayagEaEEUvDtusZ6IvS5WBCwlGBe5Qfowq1MRFw3tBK0EKsbCFB2lWS4SzpZvtu63_ooCK2q_5-fq9BC3R73yn0vUyn2drxDdKWnAWCN4tN32U4lQLSLwvpjZ_OyzgEcCQ6ohm4aPgg/s320/St.+Savior.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the interior of the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg. We got there as a service was going on in a side chapel: incense burning, heavenly chant by the choir, priest arrayed in vestments of finest gold, people gathered, standing, silently bowing and crossing themselves and lighting candles as the service went on. Of course the church in Russia was nearly dead during the Soviet years: 1,000 churches in St. Petersburg at the time of the czars had been reduced to about 5 or 6 still open by 1990. Other church buildings were demolished, or turned into warehouses, military training facilities, or even (in one case) an indoor swimming pool. Now, the church is coming back to life. Five hundred churches are now open in the city, and in each one we entered (on weekdays), there were worshipers gathered for the Divine Liturgy in progress. Christ is risen, indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which brings me to wonder why we are so concerned about the future of our church. Amidst great anxiety about declining numbers and tight finances, The Episcopal Church gathered in General Convention this summer. It was my second Convention, and after my first, in 2009, I wasn't sure I would return. The anxiety, conflict, and stuck-ness seemed hopeless. We made some good decisions, but seemed unable to address the vital issue of how to reverse, or event confront, the church's decline. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year was different. Not only did we address the issues before us, we did it with excitement and a sense of positive vision and hope for the future. We created Enterprise Zones to encourage evangelism with new populations. We agreed to move our church headquarters away from 815 Second Avenue. We created a Task Force for Restructuring the Church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like many people, I hope that "restructuring" is about more than, well, restructuring. I hope this is not just another organizational quick-fix that changes a few lines of authority and re-draws our church's flow chart. I hope that instead, this "restructuring" becomes a reawakening. I hope that we pray together, discuss together, gain insights from people not otherwise heard, and learn from each other. I hope we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I hope this becomes a new beginning for our church, the start of an explosion of new energy, new ideas, and new people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, I have been elected, along with 37 other people, to serve on Executive Council, our church's Board of Directors. Members of Executive Council recently received a request to write a one-page introduction and name what we see as the three top priorities for us to address this triennium. We also were invited to ask any questions we have about how Executive Council works.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest question I have about how Executive Council works is, how should we interact with the Task Force on Restructuring? (By the way, if you haven't yet applied to serve on the Task Force, the deadline is Thursday, Aug. 23, and the application is <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/nominees-considered-special-task-force-church-structural-reform" target="_blank">here</a>.) Even though the Task Force is given the challenge of addressing big-picture restructuring issues, without being subordinate to Executive Council or other current leadership structures, I hope that there will be good communication between the two groups. And I think there are certain tasks which are vital for Executive Council to address right away - tasks that are either inherently part of Council's job, or were given to Council by General Convention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are the priorities I came up with. Of course these reflect my personal interests and biases. And since I'm new to Executive Council, and we're all new to this era of restructuring, I may have missed something important. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find
ways to support creative evangelism and church growth at the local level, such
as Mission Enterprise Zones, with special priority given to emerging
populations, youth and young adults, and non-English-speaking populations.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move
the corporate headquarters away from 815 2<sup>nd</sup> Ave., find a new
headquarters location, and address the related question of how to responsibly
leverage 815 as a real estate asset, whether by sale, lease, or other means.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revamp
Executive Council’s budgeting and financial oversight process and engage in a
top-to-bottom review of Church Center costs, including a personnel review. I support aligning the budget with the Marks
of Mission. Budgeting should be an
ongoing process, with wide input, that continually tracks how our financial
expenditures are supporting our stated mission priorities. It should be led by Executive Council, with
significant ongoing input from staff, with careful monitoring to ensure that
information released to the public actually matches decisions made. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those are my thoughts and priorities for Executive Council. What are yours? I'd be interested to hear them in the comments. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyKlzKmJ4LbrTZqGJ681hCLUCwHOaDVC2fk_to97JJgpL2YyvtIRBkD5rCVe-WkdUBXXgmqCDQOeEqlI_XrVGTdAh-0RL31Q-cSLfNgkIyBqaJ0BqP9OtSxwnW-i7ZGLUMd0VkYFRFwuT/s1600/St.+Savior+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyKlzKmJ4LbrTZqGJ681hCLUCwHOaDVC2fk_to97JJgpL2YyvtIRBkD5rCVe-WkdUBXXgmqCDQOeEqlI_XrVGTdAh-0RL31Q-cSLfNgkIyBqaJ0BqP9OtSxwnW-i7ZGLUMd0VkYFRFwuT/s320/St.+Savior+Exterior.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are important issues to discuss. But - I want to be clear. The most vital thing for us to discover is, how is the Holy Spirit leading us into a new era? Difficult times have beset the church from the very beginning, and the Holy Spirit has always led us into new possibilities we never would have imagined on our own. Read Acts Chapter 8 if you have any doubts about this. (And check out the <a href="http://www.acts8moment.org/" target="_blank">Acts 8 Moment's website</a> too.) Or, if you still doubt that a declining church can be reawakened, maybe this photo will inspire you, the exterior of the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg. The refurbishing is almost complete. The smell of incense fills the air. The sound of heavenly chanting fills the hearts of the worshipers who gather to pray and hope and share the Eucharist together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia. </span></div>
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<br />Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-84050043998408229812012-07-13T18:51:00.001-07:002012-07-13T18:53:46.228-07:00The Acts 8 Moment: Where Do We Go From Here?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Episcopal Church
is a gigantic ship, and surely turning this ship will be a monumental task. Yet
a deeply hopeful General Convention created a mandate for change in passing the
Structure resolution, providing my favorite moment of the whole Convention. As
the vote was taken, the House of Deputies resounded with a hearty
"aye" – and not a single "no." Of one accord, every person
present - nearly 900 people - agreed to form a Task Force that would lead a
process of change. Then we stood in a standing ovation, cheering and clapping,
and joined together in singing the hymn, "Sing a New Church Into
Being."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Structure
resolution was a good one: carefully drafted, taking the input of many into
account, providing for an independent group that will not be supervised or
sabotaged by current leadership structures that will want to protect their own
standing and their natural inclination to say, “But we’ve always done it that
way before!” This group is accountable only to the 2015 General Convention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet my worry is this:
the 2015 General Convention will find itself deeply resisting change. The
hopeful moment is now, because none of us have seen the change that will be
proposed. What happens when this hope-filled task force brings back specifics?
We took two votes in the House of Deputies that make me worry that the
specifics will bring out forces who want to maintain the status quo. We turned
down a proposal to reduce the number of Standing Commissions to two. And we voted
to increase the length of General Convention – one of the structures that will
be carefully looked at for potential to change – back to 10 days from 8. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Admittedly, some
people voted against eliminating Standing Commissions because they want to see
these changes proposed as part of a coordinated Task Force plan. There is
wisdom in this. But the natural inclination of any system is to protect itself,
and I am concerned that when it comes to the next Convention, we will not show imagination
about singing a new church into being. I
am concerned that we will see exactly what you would expect of a big ship: a
reluctance to change and a determination, when a new course is offered, to
continue plowing steadily ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So where does the
Acts 8 Moment come in? In Acts chapter 8, the Holy Spirit drove the disciples out
of their comfortable headquarters in Jerusalem, to strange places where they
baptized people, like an Ethiopian eunuch, who they probably assumed weren't
even qualified to be part of the Kingdom of God. Getting thrown out of
Jerusalem transformed the church from a small apocalyptic Jewish sect, waiting
for the end times in Jerusalem, into a missionary movement that proclaimed the
word to people of all nations and races. You and I are Christians because the
church experienced this moment of change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today's church needs
a similar transformation: it needs the guidance of the Holy Spirit if we are
going to move into a new era of change.
The change we need is not simply a matter of changing our structures to
save money. The change we need is to
follow the Holy Spirit’s leading into a new apostolic era – where we find
ourselves flung out of our comfortable structures and ways of being the church,
away from our secure, familiar Jerusalems, into places where we learn to
proclaim the gospel in ways we had never imagined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We need to start praying
for, experiencing, and leading an Acts 8 Moment for The Episcopal Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At our gathering on
July 11, we talked about hopes for the church – hopes that we will learn to
proclaim the gospel wherever we are, in whatever difficult circumstances; hopes
that this moment of change will not be lost; hopes that new generations will
come to know Jesus through us; hopes that the Holy Spirit will guide us into
the changes we need to make. We believe
that the Acts 8 Moment has a place in leading the church in the direction it
needs to go, by providing prayer and spiritual guidance that parallels the work
of the Structure Task Force, and by holding our church’s leadership to account
in advocating for change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, where do we go
from here? Some of our ideas include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bringing the Acts 8
movement of prayer and discernment to the local level, to our parishes, to
diocesan and regional gatherings.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creating ways to be
accountable to each other through online interactions, regular communications,
agreed-upon prayer times, etc. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Providing resources
for a churchwide study of the Book of Acts, that transformational book of the
Bible that describes God’s hope for the church and the way the church reaches
new people.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creating a blogger
network where we can share all our ideas.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Staying involved with
the Task Force on Restructuring, praying, getting the grassroots involved,
making sure our ideas are heard.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Making sure we have
accountability and community with each other.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bringing the Acts 8
renewal movement into parishes, since true change comes from people, not from
structures.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Building an
interactive website that has everything we need for the journey, with
interactivity and a way for people to communicate with each other.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tweet chats at
designated times.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Naming a time of day
when we all commit to pray for this initiative, such as 5:08 p.m. (Acts is the
5<sup>th</sup> book of the New Testament, so 5:08).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Building a network of
diocesan representatives who could start local gatherings. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meeting face to face
to create a Benedictine Rule of Life together (we are considering a
conference/meetup in October or November).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Including some kind
of engagement with our communities. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have begun the
work with our first website, at <a href="http://www.acts8moment.org/">http://www.acts8moment.org/</a>. (Thanks to Frank Logue for putting it
together!) Check it out and write in
with your suggestions. Let us know what
your ideas are for Acts 8, and what you are feeling called to do and lead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Most of all, start
praying. With prayer, discernment, and
the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I believe we truly can turn this ship in a new
direction, full of hope and possibility.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></div>
<br />Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-77633171456405939452012-06-29T15:45:00.000-07:002012-06-30T07:45:10.898-07:00The Acts 8 Moment: A Call to Prayer and Action<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What time is it? It's 2012, but it's not the end of the world! Instead, it is a time of transition in the church, a time to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit, a time to go where God says to go. It's a time for action, but first and primarily, it's a time for prayer, conversation and discernment. Together with <a href="http://www.sevenwholedays.org/" target="_blank">Scott Gunn</a> and <a href="http://crustyoldean.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tom Ferguson</a>, I am hoping to start a new conversation at General Convention. Come and join us to think, pray and dream! Read more at the bottom of this post. We would like to open up a space for the Holy Spirit, because ...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>This is an Acts 8 Moment</u>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s a dark time for the church. Social forces have impacted believers so that
it’s not clear how the community of faith can continue. The institutions that have held the church
together are breaking apart, and people are scattered, unsure of their next
step, uncertain that the gospel will survive into the next generation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Episcopal Church in 2012? No – the Followers of The Way in Jerusalem,
40 A.D. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" target="_blank">Acts Chapter 8</a> has the
story. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A persecution has broken out against the followers of Jesus. In Jerusalem, the apostles have created an organization, with assigned roles and delegation of
responsibilities to deacons and others.
It seems to work, until Stephen speaks out of turn, insisting that the older
Temple organization is not necessary.
Stephen gets killed as a result, and a persecution begins. The fledgling institution is destroyed and
scattered, and no one knows what to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No one, that is, except the Holy Spirit. Where human plans have failed, God is doing
something new. <b>It turns out that the very persecution that scatters the believers and
destroys their institutions now becomes the seed of new life in unexpected
places. </b> The Twelve had assumed that
the main life of the church would always continue in Jerusalem, headquartered
in the Temple. But the Spirit flung the
church out into new and frightening places:
Samaria and the road to Gaza and a place called Azotus. Simon the Magi and an Ethiopian eunuch become
Christians. Baptism happens in a puddle
of water alongside a road, instead of in a carefully planned liturgical
ceremony. What will God think of next?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Here in The Episcopal Church</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">, we are not in any danger of being martyred
as Stephen was. But our anxiety over a
changing world and a changing role for the church has created a transition
point for us, as it did for the church in Jerusalem so long ago. Our institutions are no longer useful in the
same way they once were, society around us often seems hostile to our mission,
and we’re not sure what’s coming or how the church can survive into the next
generation. We are being scattered, flung headlong into a new world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This sounds like a job for the Holy
Spirit. Where human plans fail, God may
truly be planning a new thing, something that none of us anticipated. And the new thing that is coming may well be the
very thing that brings life where we least expect to find it. We may find ourselves in our own symbolic Samaria,
on the road to Gaza, or in Azotus, reaching new people in new ways with the good
news of God’s grace to us in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Episcopal Church in 2012 is in an Acts 8
Moment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Where Should We Go From Here?</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As we approach General Convention, we seem to
be consumed with questions of “restructuring” and the budget and how we will
organize our institutions in the years to come.
I’ve been paying a lot of attention to some of these questions myself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But I don’t think our structure or our
finances or even our decline in membership is what we should be focused
on. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think we need to focus on what the Holy
Spirit is doing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do we do that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> First,
don’t make any hasty decisions. In 2009,
we restructured by slashing the budget.
No long-term strategic thinking went into what line items were slashed,
even though those cuts resulted in long-term changes in how we did our mission. PB&F was faced with an impossible task,
and they did what they could. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">restructuring
by budget-cutting is not a healthy way to run any organization.</b> Let’s pass a transition budget that does some
responsible and sensible cuts, but gives us the time we need to seek out the
guidance of the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">>
Next, don’t deceive ourselves that changing the way General Convention
operates, or the place the Church Center does its work, or way we create our
budget, or any other organizational fix, is going to get us where we need to
be. Those might be good things to do,
but they’re not going to put us on the road to Gaza. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Restructuring
our organization isn’t the answer to our problems.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> Then,
allow some space for the Holy Spirit to do its work. Philip listened, and the angel of the Lord
told him to go out to the Gaza Road. We
need to listen too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Episcopal Church in the 21<sup>st</sup>
century is not in a restructuring moment – we’re in an Acts 8 moment.</b> Let's open up a process of prayer and discernment
that allows people across the church to pray together, to study the Bible
together, to dream together about what the church could be. Let's put everything out on the table, including
our dearest structures. The disciples
learned that they didn’t become Christians in Jerusalem – they had to move to
Antioch. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Everything has to be open to change, and we have to be ready to listen.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">>
And let's make sure that the group that </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">is coordinating this churchwide discernment process</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> IS open to change.
Yes, we should listen to the voices of experienced folks who have worked
on Structure and Executive Council and 815 and other positions of
leadership. But if we are truly going to
change, then we can’t depend on our current leadership structures to initiate
that change. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We need outsiders to lead us into a new era.</b> We need Gen Xers and Millennials. We need people in minority groups. We need people who understand technology. We need evangelists and teachers. We need dreamers and thinkers and organizers. Let’s get a group together who will lead us
into a new generation. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">What’s Next?</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A whole bunch of folks will be together at
General Convention! Let’s get the
conversation started there. I am working
with <a href="http://www.sevenwholedays.org/" target="_blank">Scott Gunn</a> and <a href="http://crustyoldean.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tom Ferguson</a> – go check out their blogs too. Together, the three of us would like to
invite anyone who is interested to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">come
together in Indianapolis at 9:30 p.m. on July 5 (location TBA - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Acts8Moment" target="_blank">like us on Facebook</a> or follow the Acts 8 Moment on Twitter for details)</b>. We want to start the process by gathering, praying,
reading the Bible, and talking together about the church we dream of
seeing. Let’s listen for where the Holy
Spirit is calling us to go! Let's hear each other's prayers and dreams! Let’s enter
into our own Acts 8 Moment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Acts8Moment#" target="_blank">“Like” The Acts 8 Moment on Facebook</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">“</span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">History
belongs to the intercessors, who believe the future into being….The future
belongs to whoever can envision … a new and desirable possibility, which faith
then fixes upon as inevitable. This is the politics of hope. Hope envisages its
future and then acts as if that future is now irresistible, thus helping to
create the reality for which it longs.</span>” Walter Wink, 1992 "Engaging the
Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination" Augsburg
Fortress p. 299 (reprinted</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> <i> in Avery Brooke's "Healing in the Landscape of Prayer")</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-72364121233866455902012-06-26T22:37:00.002-07:002012-06-27T07:00:07.181-07:00The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Part Two<i>This post is continued from <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/06/good-bad-and-ugly-part-one.html" target="_blank">The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Part One.</a></i> <br />
<br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Bad and the Ugly</span></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When Clint Eastwood rides into town wearing a poncho, people pay attention. It must be ... The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I talked about The Good points of the PB's budget proposal <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/06/good-bad-and-ugly-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And I want to be clear - the good points of this proposal are enough to win my support. This proposal is a vast improvement over the Executive Council proposed budget that came out a few months ago, and caused such a brouhaha. A kerfuffle. A dustup. A mad dash to find the Confederate gold ... no, wait, that's Clint Eastwood again. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think we should vote for the PB's proposal, with some adjustments that will no doubt be considered carefully by PB&F as they listen to input in their hearings. Mostly I support the PB's proposal because it adopts a mission-based and much healthier format that the tired old Canonical, Corporate, Program format, and also because it has much better information regarding necessary staffing levels than Executive Council had.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But as we go to a vote, we need to understand also the negative points of this proposal: the Bad and ,,,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>The Ugly</u>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I really don't have to explain the Ugly to you. I will leave the astonishment over the crazy process that gave rise to the current budget fracas to <a href="http://wildernessgarden.blogspot.com/2012/06/balancing-act.html" target="_blank">Katie Sherrod</a> and the <a href="http://crustyoldean.blogspot.com/2012/06/its-all-over-but-shouting-annotated.html" target="_blank">Crusty Old Dean</a>. I just have to say that I am truly troubled that people have been hurt, that well-intentioned input has been disregarded, that there are mysteries to what happened in this budget melee that still have not been unraveled. When we in the church start disrespecting, disregarding, and hurting each other, I am concerned that we have lost our way. Our beloved BCP says that the mission of the church is "to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ" (p. 855). We are not modeling that reconciliation well within the church; why would others want to join us in our unreconciled differences? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can't we make a pact to give each other the benefit of the doubt at this Convention? Can't we give each other credit for loving Jesus and following him the best way we know how? Can't we listen, share, and discern God's way forward in atmosphere of trust and respect? Rodney King has just died - in his honor, can't we all just get along?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's time for a change in the way we do things ... a big, sweeping change, led by the Holy Spirit, putting an end to old things and taking on new things for a new era.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But more on that later. For now ... back to Clint Eastwood.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Bad</span></u><br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's maybe a bit of an exaggeration to call this "bad" (but we're sticking with Clint Eastwood, by gosh). But there are a few things I think we should be aware of. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> This proposed budget does not increase the percentages of funding devoted to mission as much as it appears to. The pie charts at the back of the document would have us believe that "mission" has increased from 53% (in Bishop Sauls' famous presentation to the House of Bishops) to 67%. A lot of this apparent increase is due to some accounting reclassifications. For instance:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">$4.5 million of principal payments on the 815 debt were moved out of administrative expenses altogether, and shown in the PB's proposed budget as a discretionary use of cash surplus rather than an administrative expense (which it was in the EC budget). The money is still being spent, on exactly the same thing it was before (that lovely hierarchical-model headquarters building), but it's no longer counted as administrative expense, or any kind of expense. This is not a reduction in administrative expenditures. But it makes the percentages look better. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The new budget takes $4.6 million of administrative services provided to affiliated organizations, like ERD, ECF, UTO, etc., breaks them out separately, and includes them in the percentages devoted to "mission." Those same expenses were incurred in EC's budget, but included in administration. Again, it makes the percentages look better while changing nothing.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Funding for the Development Office in this budget, as in the EC budget, comes from a special draw on the endowment, shown in income. The EC budget had an inexplicable error that needed to be corrected: it showed expenses less than income for this item of $1,250,000. Therefore the EC budget was actually a deficit budget of this amount. The PB's budget has corrected this error and described the costs of the Development Office as a "mission" expenditure. The correction needed to be made. But again, it increases the percentages.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The PB's budget shows a special collection for Haiti, spearheaded by the Development Office, in the amount of $1.6 million, and also shows it in "mission" expenditures. The expense is a wash - income equals expense, and presumably if the Development Office doesn't succeed in raising the funds, the money won't be spent - but it increases, once again, the "mission" percentage. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I calculate that if the above items were treated consistently with EC's treatment, the percentages in this budget would be Mission - 60%; Governance - 11%; Administration - 29%. Still an improvement over the percentages in Bishop Sauls' presentation. Just not as dramatic an improvement as it appears on first glance. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please understand, the accounting treatment of all the above items is appropriate; we should just not understand them as actually improving our situation. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> I am not convinced that it is appropriate to fund a new Development Office from the endowment. I generally think we do need a Development Office, but unless that office is raising funds <u>for</u> the endowment, I do not think it should be funded <u>from</u> the endowment. This is drawing down our permanent asset base to pay operating expenses. According to a copy of the Development Office Strategic Plan, the initiatives it is planning to support include the Archives, rebuilding in Haiti, church planting, and support for Navajoland and other area missions. These are operating expenses. If this office is important to us (which it probably is), we should find a way to fund it from operations. Or, be honest about it and change the percentage draw we are taking from our endowment investments to show the Development Office as an operating expense.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> Likewise, I am not sure where the special initiative for Haiti, which is listed as a separate income item and which the Development Office is supposed to support, comes from. Who created this priority? If Executive Council agreed with this priority, why was it not in their budget? If staff created this priority, I think it needs to be agreed to by General Convention. Which I guess is what we're doing in this budget. I just think things need to be clearly stated and justified. Rebuilding Haiti is a great cause, and I support it. I just think we need to decide together on this priority. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> Speaking of which, this budget allocates our entire 0.7% MDG commitment to Haiti. Let's decide on this together. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> Like the EC budget, this budget eliminates the General Board of Examining Chaplains. I am not crazy about the GOEs myself, remembering long hard days tortuously slogging my way through those things. I commend to you Crusty Old Dean's <a href="http://crustyoldean.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-didnt-forget-to-remember-to-forget.html" target="_blank">alternate proposal for GOEs.</a> But in the meantime, it is a canonical mandate. I asked Bishop Sauls how you de-fund a canonical mandate. He said that the <u>existence</u> of the GOEs is a canonical mandate, but that doesn't mean the <u>funding</u> of them is a canonical mandate. Sophistry, angels dancing on heads of pins! He said that perhaps, for instance, the GOEs could be funded entirely from user fees. So there's that. But I think this is an example of restructuring by de-funding, which I do not believe is a healthy way to operate. If we are going to de-fund something, I think we should have a good reason, corporately decided (not by 815 staff), and a plan for how to get that function accomplished otherwise.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, Gentle Reader, if you have followed me this far, I congratulate you. You have now heard my take on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in this budget proposal. After all is said and done, in my opinion the Good outweighs the Bad or the Ugly in the PB's budget proposal. Clint Eastwood may now ride into the sunset! </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think we should adopt the PB's budget, with perhaps a few changes. Because:</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> It directs our attention to Mission.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> It contains a few new and needed initiatives.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> It shows a good level of conscientious budget-cutting, backed up by much better data than EC had.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> It restores Christian Formation and Vocation, which is the subject that got me (and maybe you) all worked up about the budget in the first place. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> It does not make the mistake I believe we made in 2009 of making long-term restructuring decisions based on short-term budget-cutting measures. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> And therefore, it provides us some breathing room. We can work together, beginning at this Convention and continuing into the next triennium, on discerning God's will for this church. Structure? It's not about Structure. It's about the mission of the church. God's mission. Let's pray, read the Bible, study, and discern together where God is leading us. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">More on this tomorrow.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-65845162432126215572012-06-26T00:53:00.001-07:002012-06-27T07:03:12.491-07:00The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Part One<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The Episcopal Church's budget process this year could be renamed, as the title of the old Clint Eastwood movie goes, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Many faithful and well-intentioned people have worked very hard to create a budget - the Good. In many ways, they have failed, because of the impossible weight of the bureaucracy and the administrative structure we are saddled with - the Bad. And, umm, a lot of people on all sides have gotten hurt, polarized, sidelined, disrespected, and disregarded. The Ugly. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">I honestly have no way of judging the politics that brought us to this state. All I can do is look at the competing budget proposals that are before us and do the best I can at analyzing them and judging between them. (And by the way, before I picked up this church gig, I was a CPA, which is why I have some minimal level of competence at doing this). This is what I have been doing, these last few days, with the help of some people at 815 who were willing to answer my questions about their budget proposal (as Executive Council members were willing to answer my questions about theirs). And as I analyze the PB's budget proposal that is before us now, again I see that it contains ... The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">No one is perfect and no budget will do a perfect job. After carefully investigating and weighing the proposals, I am going to come down in favor of the PB's proposal. Today and tomorrow, I'll tell you why. I'll spell out what I see as the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and I'll tell you why I think we should support this one after all is said and done.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><u>The Good</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> 1. This budget is framed in terms of
mission. 2009 Resolution D027 named the
<a href="http://www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/mission/fivemarks.cfm" target="_blank">Five Anglican Marks of Mission</a> as the strategic priorities for the church, and
<i>required</i> that Executive Council and PB&F center the 2013-2015 budget around
these priorities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe you don’t care
about the Marks of Mission, and I will certainly agree that they are not
perfect. But here is what I like about
them. I have seen an alarming (to me)
tendency in The Episcopal Church to equate “mission” with social service. Social service is a good thing, and we should
be doing it out of our Christian convictions.
But the church is not a social service agency with stained glass
windows. We are a worshipping community
that follows Christ and strives to live into the kingdom of God that he
proclaimed and embodied. The Marks of
Mission recognize this – in fact, they declare that proclaiming the good news
of the kingdom is not one distinct activity among several, but is the key
statement about everything we do in mission – including worship, which is
itself a witness to the world. Mission,
say the Marks, is the act of God in which we join God in the divine mission of loving and serving the
world. <a href="http://www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/mission/fivemarks.cfm" target="_blank">Go and read</a> what the Anglican
Communion website has to say about the Marks.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I believe that in
adopting the Marks as priorities, we make central two vital priorities that
have been pushed to the sidelines in The Episcopal Church in recent
decades: evangelism (Mark 1) and forming
disciples (Mark 2). Let’s refocus our churchwide priorities to list these
first. Are the Marks perfect? No.
Are they helpful to The Episcopal Church at this stage in our
history? Absolutely. Do they push us do things that have been
neglected, but should have been central to our identity all along? Without a doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Executive Council reportedly
discussed the Marks of Mission, but their proposed budget shows no evidence of
it. Whatever discussions they had did
not show up in the line items of their proposed budget. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(This is probably not Executive Council’s
fault. They are a group of volunteer
leaders serving for limited periods of time each year without access to good
information. Staff at 815 hold all the
keys – finance information, staff to put it together, full-time familiarity
with the work being done on a churchwide level.
Why was this information not shared with Council before? Oh wait, that question belongs in “The
Ugly.”)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The PB’s new proposed budget shows exactly how
each of the priorities are being met. I
find a few of the classifications a bit questionable – for instance, the PB and almost her entire office spend all their time doing nothing but Proclaiming the Good
News of the Kingdom (Mark 1)?
Really? And the House of Bishops
Theology Committee and the College for Bishops belong in Mark 2 – Teaching,
Nurturing, and Baptizing New Believers?
Seriously? (If the bishops are
new believers, I guess we should give thanks that they have finally seen the
light.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nevertheless, the mere fact of arranging this
budget by mission categories rather than the tired old categories of Canonical,
Corporate, and Program, means that our attention gets focused on how we can go
about accomplishing each component of mission.
And that’s a good thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> 2. This budget increases the percentage of funds
devoted to mission as opposed to administration and governance. Not as much as the pie charts at the back
would have you believe. At first glance,
you might think that this budget increases mission from 53% (according to
Bishop Stacy Sauls’ famous presentation to the House of Bishops last fall) to
67% (according to the pie chart at the back of the newly released proposed
budget). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not so. Most of the change in percentages happens
because things have been reclassified from one category to another. (More in “The Bad,” tomorrow.) I think the percentage of real, new funds
devoted to mission are increased here by 2 or 3 percentage points at most. But in a $100+ million budget, you know, a
million here, a million there, soon you’re talking about real money. There <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i>
an increase.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> 3. Some of that real money comes from new
initiatives. Again, not as much as you
would think at first glance. But
some. Each Mark of Mission category
includes a large new line item that wasn’t there before. But a great deal of this money was just
reclassified to this line item from other line items that were already in the
budget. According to information
provided by 815 staff, here is the actual new money for new initiatives this
budget contains:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mark 1: $2 million includes $175,000 from line 174 (Latino/ </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Hispanic Ministries); new money is $1,825,000</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mark 2: $1 million is entirely reclassified from line 157 (Grants);</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> no new money here</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mark 3: $1 million includes $380,000 from line 94 and $560,000 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> from line 95 (Young Adult Service Corps); </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> hardly any new money here</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mark 4: $1 million includes what was formerly on line 182 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> (Jubilee Ministries), which spent a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">lmost $1 million last </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> triennium; hardly any new money here</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mark 5: $1 million includes $106,000 from line 180 and </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> $200,000 from line 236; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">new money is $694,000</span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">In other words, the increases in Marks 2, 3,
and 4 are negligible. There are new
programs – I think – in Marks 1 and 5. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">I believe there NEEDS to be new money in Mark
1 if we are to grow, and this money is supposed to go to church planting, a vital
cause for our church. I am a bit unclear
about the relationship between this new money and the Church Planting office
that already exists at 815. The “Reclassified”
money in this category comes from the Office of Latino/Hispanic
Ministries. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">I am not sure that new money is required at
the churchwide level in Mark 5, Care of Creation. If ever there was a ministry that cried out
to be accomplished at the local level, this is it. If I were PB&F and were looking for money
to cut from the budget, I would look for it here, in this new $694,000. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">815 has also not released any details of how
these new initiatives are to be carried out.
If there is a plan, I would like to see it. If there is no plan, I would like to know how
one is going to be created, and by whom.
If there is no plan for creating a plan, I would like to know why we
need these initiatives. Other, that is,
than to increase our percentages devoted to mission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> 4. This budget accomplishes staff cuts in a much
more reasonable way than anything Executive Council or PB&F could come up
with. I know, because I tried creating a
budget proposal on my own, and it basically involves applying across-the-board
percentage reductions without any knowledge of the underlying staffing
needs. 815 has access to the information
needed to analyze particular positions.
This budget decreases the cost-of-living increase from 3% to 2% and
eliminates 12.75 positions. Many of
these are positions that are presently unfilled. At least one is a program officer who will no
longer be an 815 employee, but will receive funding to work for a churchwide network
and accomplish the same mission. The
other positions that are being cut have not been released – but I will have to
say that 815 leaders are in a much better position than anyone else to make
these assessments. They know their
people and their staffing needs – we don’t.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">The cuts are deeper in the area of administration and governance, including a percentage cut in each area, in addition to deep cuts in Human Resources, IT, finance, etc. More cuts could be realized if we didn't have to pay for 815 (the building) - but any savings to be realized from a sale or lease there won't come this year, maybe not this triennium. It takes time to sell a large building like that, even if it is the right thing to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> 5. The income projections for Diocesan Commitments appear to be reasonable. Contrary to some reports, the Diocesan Commitments line does NOT contain the full 19% as if every diocese was going to pay its full share. These amounts have been carefully counted for reasonableness, and take into account partial (or no) payments by many dioceses. Development Office and Haiti Collection, I'm not so sure about, but these are "wash" items - income and expense cancel each other out. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">With regard to the investment income, I am informed that the Investment Committee projected the investment returns at 8%, but the budget projects only a 5% draw. I am not qualified to make a good judgment on this, but it seems reasonable.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> 6. This budget restores Christian Formation and
Vocation. Executive Council didn’t mean to cut it – how it got cut is lost in a
bureaucratic maze. It’s back in the
budget. Thanks be to God. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/06/good-bad-and-ugly-part-two.html" target="_blank">The Bad and the Ugly</a></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-24151293165246170612012-06-24T21:11:00.001-07:002012-06-24T21:33:37.685-07:00More on the Denominational Health Plan<i>Yes, I know there's an alternate budget proposal on the table! I'm working that issue and will publish a post as soon as I finish my analysis. In the meantime, here's this!</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Over at <a href="http://www.sevenwholedays.org/2012/05/23/principle-on-politics/" target="_blank">Seven Whole Days</a>,
Scott Gunn has proposed a principle on political resolutions at General
Convention:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Let us tell the world
what <i>we</i> are going to do about political problems, rather than
telling the world what <i>they</i> should do about political problems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Well, General Convention has certainly told the US government what IT
should do about the problem of health care coverage in the United States. In 2009 alone:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><a href="http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2009-C071" target="_blank">2009-C071</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> called on all parts of the church to advocate for universal basic
health care for all;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><a href="http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2009-D048" target="_blank">2009-D048</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> called for universal health care coverage and a single-payer heath care
plan;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><a href="http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2009-D088" target="_blank">2009-D088</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> called for national universal health care reform.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Now it’s time for us to put our money where our mouth is. That’s what the US government should do;
well, what should we do? It’s easy
enough to demand that someone else do something about people who lack health
insurance; can we stand behind our convictions when it is going to cost <u>us</u>
money?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">That’s what we decided to do in 2009.
Resolution A177 established the Denominational Health Plan, to be
administered by the Medical Trust of the Church Pension Group. The DHP has two basic goals:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Containing healthcare costs for the church in light of rapidly increasing
healthcare costs nationwide; and</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Equal access to healthcare coverage for clergy and lay employees.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Worthy goals – but the DHP has run into some controversy. Mostly because we have suddenly discovered that covering additional people will cost additional money! Surprise, surprise! Justice requires some sacrifices!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Let’s make a couple of points absolutely clear:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">It is absolutely essential for the economics of the plan that everyone be
required to participate, because of the concept of “adverse selection,” which I
explained in detail <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/health-insurance-and-justice-dhp.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Basically,
this means that without a mandate, healthier and cheaper employees and groups
will be motivated to buy their insurance elsewhere, leaving CPG to cover only
older, sicker employees, raising the cost of CPG insurance for everyone.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">The mandate has not gone into effect yet!</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> It does not become effective
until January 2013! That means that we
have no basis yet on which to judge the effectiveness of the Denominational
Health Plan. Don’t judge the DHP as ineffective when we haven’t even seen it at
work yet!</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Some folks have complained that since adopting CPG insurance, their
health insurance premiums have continued to increase, and cited this as
evidence that the DHP isn’t doing its job.
Folks – health costs across the country have <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/business/health-insurance-costs-rise-sharply-this-year-study-shows.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">continued to increase</a>, by
about 9% a year. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">A CPG representative tells me
that CPG insurance has increased by an average of about 5% a year. This lower percentage increase is direct
savings to us ($37 million so far, according to CPG), attributable to the fact
that numerous dioceses have already joined the plan. Don’t blame CPG that health costs in the
U.S. continue to rise!</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">The fact is that the Denominational Health Plan directly pits the
interests of clergy employees against those of lay employees.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">I believe that clergy need to be very, very
careful about voting their own interests in opposition to lay interests. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Lay people are vastly underrepresented in the
councils of our church, because there are far more lay people than clergy
people, but we have the same number of deputies to General Convention.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">If anything, clergy need to bend over
backwards to protect the interests of lay people, without whom we wouldn’t have
much of a church.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">We clergy should not
be using our disproportionate power to trample on lay interests.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Now, on to some more specifics. The
controversies over the DHP fall into three categories:</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> 1. Requiring clergy and lay benefits to be equal means either you have to
reduce clergy benefits, or you have to offer lay people the same Cadillac
benefits the clergy have been getting all these years. And make no mistake, many clergy people
receive true Cadillac plans. Where most
secular employers these days offer high-deductible, low-cost plans, and require
employees to pay part of the premiums, clergy have gotten used to expecting
low-deductible, benefit-rich plans, fully paid by the church, including full
family coverage. Such a plan in my
diocese (Arizona) could easily cost $25,000 a year. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">This is a way, way better plan than the average American worker can
expect to receive. According to a study
by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average American receives a plan worth
$15,073 per year, <u><b>and personally pays 27.3% of the premiums, or $4,129</b></u>. (<a href="http://www.kff.org/insurance/7670.cfm" target="_blank">Click Here</a> for the report; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">click on “Report” and see Figure 16 on page 25.)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">So, in a limited-resource world, do we bring the clergy down from a
Cadillac to a Chevy in order to provide a Chevy to lay employees too? I argued </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/health-insurance-and-justice-dhp.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> that dioceses actually have the
power to create transition rules to phase the new rules in over time, not
taking away anyone’s Cadillac, but providing Chevys to all new employees. I think this is a reasonable result.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Honestly, I think the gospel call to provide health insurance to our
full-time lay employees who don’t have other coverage (such as spousal
coverage, etc.) really couldn’t be clearer.
I am stunned that anyone who follows the gospel would think
otherwise. See <a href="http://www.sevenwholedays.org/2012/06/24/resolutely-reading-benefits/" target="_blank">Scott Gunn's post here</a> for a few cogent arguments about this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> 2. Some people believe that CPG insurance costs more than insurance under
other plans. This may well be true
because of the nature of The Episcopal Church’s covered group – mostly clergy,
who are older (and therefore less healthy and more expensive) than the average
American. Requiring all employees to be
covered may well bring down the average cost for everyone, because as it is,
the expensive older employees are the only ones who have an incentive to join
the CPG plan. That's adverse selection for you! If you don't know what I'm talking about, <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/health-insurance-and-justice-dhp.html" target="_blank">click here</a> for info. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Again, the
DHP is not fully implemented yet; until it becomes mandatory on Jan. 2013, we
will have no way of judging how powerful the effect of the mandate will
be. It is not fair to judge the DHP as
inadequate when it hasn’t even gone into effect yet. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> 3. Differences in price among various groups in the church (for instance,
geographic groups). According to a CPG
representative, before the DHP was implemented, CPG health insurance had 14 different
pricing “bands,” or price structures, based on factors like geography, demographic characteristics of the group, etc. They have already reduced this to 10 bands, and will go to 7 bands when
the mandate is implemented next year.
This means that pricing differences are being narrowed already, at CPG’s
initiative. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Please note that it IS possible for CPG to institute one standard price
that applies churchwide. However, this
would mean that lower-cost groups would be subsidizing higher-cost groups. It would mean that dioceses in lower-cost
areas like Phoenix and Seattle would be paying extra to account for the higher
cost of medical care in New York City and Miami. We as a church should decide whether we are
willing to do this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The economic risk of letting low-cost groups subsidize high-cost groups
is that CPG insurance would be noticeably more expensive than private insurance
in low-cost areas, providing an incentive for those cheaper dioceses to drop
out of the plan, raising the average cost of insurance for everyone left
behind. Adverse selection at work,
again! Participation in the plan <b>must</b>
be mandatory for it to work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><b>So – back to the beginning.</b> Should we spend another convention telling
the US government what it should do about health care reform? Or should we act
on our own to do justice for our lay employees?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">As Scott Gunn says, let’s stop telling the world what they should do, and
start telling the world what WE are going to do. Let’s make sure our lay employees are
covered. It’s responsible, it’s fair,
and it’s our gospel call to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-37400787680906340342012-06-21T12:14:00.001-07:002012-06-21T12:14:29.317-07:00PB's Budget Proposal: Initial ThoughtsI'm working hard on analyzing the PB's budget proposal. There will be more later, but here are some initial thoughts before I run off to an Arizona deputation meeting!<br />
<br />
> It's irregular for the PB to come out with a budget proposal that competes with Executive Council's proposal. Nevertheless, I am <u>not</u> interested in irregularities, power struggles, or who is allowed to do what. As Scott Gunn <a href="http://www.sevenwholedays.org/2012/06/20/resolutely-reading-anglican-covenant-responses/" target="_blank">points out</a>, any church member in Alabama could come up with an alternative budget proposal. I've thought about doing it myself. What I'm interested in is the substance. Is there some substance here we can get behind?<br />
<br />
> The PB's budget proposal does what I have been advocating, and calculates the budget according to Marks of Mission categories rather than the tired old categories of Canonical, Corporate, and Program (yawn). I am glad to see mission categories become a priority. <br />
<br />
>The chart released with the budget proposal shows that, compared to Executive Council's budget, "mission" has been increased from 59% to 67% of the total budget. First question: Do these percentages reflect actual differences in the way we are spending our money, or do they reflect reclassifying things from one category to another? Initial review shows there's a little of both going on here.<br />
<br />
> Nevertheless, there are some terrific new proposals here. Just one example: $2 million in grant funding for new church planting. Friends, we have been needing to do this for years. <br />
<br />
> Apparently the PB's staff has been pounding the pavement, burning up the telephone wires in calls to dioceses to wring some additional "asking" commitments from them. Income has thus been increased by $2 million. Let's hope this is real money. But 815 is in a good position to count up actual commitments - a much better position than I am. <br />
<br />
> This budget proposes to reduce staff costs at 815 by eliminating 12.75 positions (partly including unfilled positions) and limiting cost of living increases. Great news - and again, 815 is in a much better position to offer these cuts than I am, or than Executive Council is - they know what the staff does and what is necessary. <br />
<br />
> This budget restores Christian Formation as a priority of the church - Hurray!<br />
<br />
I will offer more thoughts when I have more time to analyze - but here's what I'm thinking right now. If we are a dysfunctional church, we will let this proposal get bogged down in questions of who is allowed to do what, miring ourselves in canonical analysis and power struggles. If we are a church that is focused on change and mission in the 21st century, we will analyze this proposal on its merits, as members of the same team, as co-workers in the fields of the Lord of the harvest. Let's work together on this.Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-90760600034894590762012-06-11T22:26:00.001-07:002012-06-11T22:26:50.333-07:00But What About Jesus?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">Is it
important that we speak compellingly about Jesus? </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><a href="http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/theology/a_dumb_question_i_have_been_me.html" target="_blank">asks Jim Naughton</a> on Episcopal Café. There is a lot we can talk about in church:
social justice, exegeting the Bible, even church structures, for God’s
sake. But what about Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I believe that Jesus was the most compelling
human being who ever lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could
look at people, speak a few words, and change them forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People gave away everything they owned to
follow him, up to and including their very lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two millennia later, his life and witness is still
so compelling that he has over 2 billion followers in the world – almost a
third of the earth’s population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yet sometimes I fear that in today’s Episcopal
Church, we are losing sight of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
get so involved in our structures and our social programs and our conflicts
that we somehow lose sight of the main thing: the Son of God lived, proclaimed,
and enacted the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
Resurrected Son of God still lives and calls us to follow him in proclaiming
and enacting that Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But look, once again, at the matters that
consume our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We follow a Savior who had no place to lay his
head, yet we maintain a vast, hierarchical, corporate bureaucracy, headquartered
in <i>Manhattan</i> of all places, which
will spend over a hundred million dollars over the course of the next three
years – 55% of which is on administration and governance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> What about Jesus?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We have so many canonical requirements that we
have no money to spend on Christian Formation (or, rather, we choose not to
spend that money).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empowering local
congregations to make and teach new disciples is apparently not a high enough
priority to spend money on (though the churchwide finance department is worth
$15 million to us), so we are willing to jettison any kind of churchwide
support for Christian Formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Evidently we assume that somehow, someone will pick up the slack – even
though we have made no transition plans to make sure that happens. We have forgotten that Christian Formation is a vital way that people come to know Jesus.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The time and energy of over 800 deputies
(including me) and however-many bishops will be consumed this summer in an
adversarial process to pass legislation that will necessarily create winners
and losers and cause some minority voices to go unheeded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will sit through hearings, and amendments,
and amendments to the amendments, and points of personal privilege, and many of
us will privately wonder whatever happened to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For some Episcopal leaders, “mission” seems to
be equivalent to charity work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Millennium Development Goals have become the reason for our existence, under
this way of thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worthy and exciting as those
MDG goals are, I fear that we are in danger of becoming nothing more than a
social service agency with stained glass windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kingdom of God is bigger than that. It includes worship, and service, and evangelism, and teaching, and healing, and proclamation - all the ways in which we follow Jesus.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are in chronic, long-term, unfocused
conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just at the time when the
long-running conflict over the place of gays and lesbians in the church seems
to be heading toward a settlement, people who were once on the same side of
that issue are in conflict with each other over a new set of issues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have lost trust in each other as faithful
servants of Jesus.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And at the same time, our witness to Jesus is
not being heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely, Jesus is
faithfully preached, week after week, in our liturgies, and God’s grace in him
is made present in our sacraments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
membership, attendance, and finances in The Episcopal Church are all continuing
to decline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not proclaiming Jesus
in a compelling enough way that people are coming to meet him in our
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we can’t even focus on that
decline because we are too busy arguing with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is time for a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mid-20<sup>th</sup>-century bureaucratic
corporate paradigm was right for the time it was created, but it is not right
for our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to change the way
we order our common life together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
need to find a way through all this conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to use our resources wisely, for the mission that Jesus is
sending us to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to follow
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let’s put everything on the table at this Convention
– the budget, the structures of the church, the shape of Convention
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not spend our time
wrangling over niceties in an endless series of resolutions that will make no
difference to the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, let’s
have a conversation about where Jesus is leading us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s pray and read the Bible and discern
where God is calling us to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s network and share and listen for the voices of the ones who aren’t often heard – the younger, less
experienced people who have a better understanding of the future that
lies ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let’s set the stage for a real conversation about
mission. I argued <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/03/jarndyce-vs-jarndyce-and-short-term.html" target="_blank">here</a> that it is a
mistake to make long-term restructuring decisions based on short-term budget
considerations. So let’s not do
that. Let’s pass a transitional budget,
as I proposed <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/03/jarndyce-vs-jarndyce-and-short-term.html" target="_blank">here</a>, correcting errors, keeping major programs in place and
refusing to add new ones. Then let’s
spend the next three years praying, discerning, and talking together, on a
grassroots, churchwide level, about Jesus. Let’s ask Jesus to guide us. Let’s become a church that, in every part of
our common life, loves, follows, and proclaims Jesus.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
</span><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-12232345854727434212012-05-31T20:57:00.002-07:002012-05-31T23:32:43.722-07:00Health Insurance and Justice: The DHP<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Justice for lay employees – this was the
purpose of the Denominational Health Plan passed in 2009 (Resolution
A177). After all, we have passed
resolutions calling for universal health care coverage in the U.S. – why not
take the first step and provide it to our own employees? Most of our clergy (at least those with
full-time positions) are covered; it is the lay employees that are often left
out of our benefit structures.
Resolution A177 attempts to remedy this injustice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It seems, however, that it is easier to call
for justice when the payment is coming out of someone else’s pockets than it is
to do justice when we have to pay for it ourselves. The Denominational Health Plan has caused a
lot of anxiety because it increases employee benefit costs at a time of very
tight budgets. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To date, a number of resolutions have been
proposed to modify the Denominational Health Plan, which was passed in 2009. I
am married to an actuary, Tom Snook, who is a Principal specializing in health
insurance with the international actuarial consulting firm, Milliman Inc. Tom
has helped me understand some of the economics of health insurance which are
relevant to this health plan, and which I would like to share with you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To begin, I’ll review the requirements of the
2009 DHP legislation:</span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The DHP ensures parity between health
insurance benefits offered to clergy and lay employees, requiring that the same
benefits be offered to both, as long as they work 1,500 hours or more per year
(i.e., ¾ time or more).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The DHP requires that health insurance be
purchased from the Church Pension Group’s Episcopal Medical Trust.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The Medical Trust is not a direct provider of
health insurance; instead, it negotiates with providers such as Blue Cross,
Aetna, etc., to come up with plans for each region of the country.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The 2009 legislation asks dioceses to come up
with specific regulations for implementing the plan, including questions of
whether employees of diocesan schools and other non-church organizations must
be included, how much of the cost the employee is required to share, whether
domestic partner benefits must be included, etc.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The DHP comes into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Because the requirement to cover lay employees
equally with clergy employees promises to cost many congregations money, the
plan has resulted in some controversy.
Proposals to modify the DHP requirements are in the works, including:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Several proposals to delay the DHP’s
implementation;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Several proposals to allow insurance to be
purchased from other providers than the CPG Medical Trust;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Several proposals
that require equity between geographic regions of the country; and</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">A proposal from the Diocese of Olympia (C047),
which I’ll get to later.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Taking these categories one at a time:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(1) <u>Delay in implementation</u> – I imagine
the goal here is to simply buy time before congregations have to pony up more
money. Is the hope that the recession
will end before we have to come up with more money, that people with deep
pockets will start flooding into our congregations between 2013 and 2016, that
we who have to run stewardship campaigns will have retired before the plan
comes into effect, or some other forlorn hope?
Is it true that justice delayed is justice denied? I am not sure what we hope to gain here. But I believe that a delay could result in
negative economic consequences for all of us – read on to understand more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In addition, please note that the new
Healthcare Reform law (if upheld) could impose penalties beginning in 2014 on
employers who have 50 or more employees and who don’t provide adequate
insurance. (<a href="https://www.bcbsri.com/BCBSRIWeb/pdf/Employer_Mandate_Fact_Sheet.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> for info.) </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Most parishes do not have 50 employees, but
this penalty could affect dioceses, which are the legal employers of all
mission congregation employees. The
penalty is $2,000 per employee, so it could add up to $100,000 if there are 50
employees!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(2) <u>Purchasing insurance from other
providers</u> – I get the appeal here.
If you can go out and buy coverage more cheaply from someone else, why
pay more for the Denominational Health Plan?
To understand this, you have to understand a concept known as “adverse
selection.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To illustrate: let’s say I have two lay
employees in my congregation: Gus and Janet.
Gus is 62 years old, has had numerous heart problems and a previous bout
with cancer. He is nearly uninsurable
under any individual plan, because the insurance premiums for him would be
astronomical. He comes to work for the
church for next to nothing, just for the benefit of being added to the group
health insurance plan provided by CPG, which saves him a fortune.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Janet, on the other hand, is 30 years old and
is in excellent health. She could get
health insurance far cheaper on her own, through an individual plan, than she
could get it through CPG. This is
because she is far healthier than the average CPG participant (since that
average person is, let’s say, a 58-year-old priest).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What is the natural result of allowing the
free market to operate on these two employees?
Janet, the younger, healthier employee, goes and buys her insurance
elsewhere. Gus, the older, sicker,
nearly uninsurable employee, buys his insurance through CPG. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now multiply that effect throughout an entire
church of people who have their choice of where to buy health insurance. What do you end up with? CPG is covering a population full of older,
sicker employees, and CPG insurance is accordingly extremely expensive because
of the nature of its covered group. Note
that as it stands now, CPG covers mostly clergy employees, and as we all know,
clergy are, on the average, older than the general population. That means they are less healthy and more
expensive. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Other
things being equal, the general effect of requiring all employees, all
congregations, and all dioceses to be covered through CPG is that the average
cost of insurance through CPG goes down substantially.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> That’s
because the younger, cheaper folks can’t opt out, and they bring down the
average age of the whole group, saving money for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, I know it sounds reasonable to allow
everyone to buy insurance where they want to.
It’s a free country, right? But
we need to understand the economic effects of the free market on the insurance
world before we start waving that free-market banner. (And, with 50 million uninsured Americans,
I’m not sure we can hold up the free market as a good health insurance
exemplar.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(3) <u>Requiring equity between different
geographical regions</u> – again, this sounds like simple fairness. And sure, it is perfectly possible to
calculate health costs across the entire country and charge the average price
to everyone, everywhere. But wait. If you charge the average to everyone – some
people’s rates are going to go down. And
some people’s rates are going to go UP. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">The fact is that health insurance premiums
vary in different geographic regions because the underlying health costs vary
across different geographic regions.
They vary a LOT. My husband Tom
was kind enough to point us to <a href="http://publications.milliman.com/periodicals/mmi/pdfs/milliman-medical-index-2012.pdf" target="_blank">this report</a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">issued by his firm, Milliman, detailing
health costs across the country. I point
you specifically to Figure 6 on page 4.
If you live in New York City, Miami, Chicago, etc., you probably pay
health insurance costs above average for the country. Therefore equalizing premiums on a national
basis will mean your costs will go down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, if you live in Los Angeles, Denver,
Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, or Phoenix, you probably pay health insurance costs
significantly below average. If we
equalize costs across the country, your premiums are going to go UP. In effect, you are going to be paying more in
order to subsidize the higher health costs in New York City and elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe this is a fair result, and maybe it is a
good thing for cheaper regions to subsidize more expensive ones. But we need to understand that this is the
result we would be voting for. I’m not saying it’s bad – you be the judge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(4) <u>The Olympia Proposal</u> simply
requires that the DHP implementation deadline be suspended, with no new date
specified. It asks that dioceses be
given the flexibility to decide what is just and feasible in their own
contexts. Basically this proposal would
deep-six the entire Denominational Health Plan, making it go away forever,
saying goodbye to churchwide parity between clergy and lay employees (a justice
issue, remember?), and giving up any benefits that a churchwide plan could
provide. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I must say that the rationale provided in the explanation to the
Olympia resolution seems exceedingly weak to me. There are two reasons given, and basically
both reasons are: we can’t trust Episcopalians not to behave badly. First, according to the explanation: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">“</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">One unintended
consequence of Resolution A177 would be that vestries would tend to see the
minimum level established by the Diocese as an “accepted standard” and reduce
existing paid coverage to this level. Then<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">clergy and lay employees presently receiving more than this minimum
would see their benefits package reduced. In the case of clergy whose
congregations presently pay premiums for dependents this reduction could be
devastating. Yet any attempt by a vestry to transfer lost benefits to another
category of remuneration would go against the principle of equity.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Really, guys, here I just have to
say – you don’t have to wipe out the entire DHP in order to solve this
problem. You don’t even have to bring
anything to the attention of General Convention. If this kind of finagling by vestries is a
problem in the Diocese of Olympia, my suggestion would be that Olympia pass a
diocesan resolution that prohibits vestries from doing it. Period, end of story. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The second rationale is this
one: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Another unintended consequence of Resolution A177 would be that
financially hard-pressed congregations would tend to reduce the hours of lay
employees and clergy so that they fall under the threshold of eligibility.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Again, I say, really? We want to wipe out the whole health care plan
because we fear that we might be tempted to artificially reduce an employee’s
work hours from 1,500 to 1,499 with the stroke of a pen? And your employees put up with that? And your Christian workplaces are willing to
do that to their employees? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am a vicar (soon to be rector) in
a congregation myself, and I have to say that good employees are really hard to
find. I honestly cannot imagine
jeopardizing the ministry of a good employee by denying them benefits that they
deserve. Look, I know that the coming
health insurance rules are going to be hard for us to pay for. I just can’t stomach overturning these rules
– intended to provide justice and equity – on the basis that we can’t trust
each other not to be dishonest. Surely
The Episcopal Church can come up with a better vision than that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Please note: +Greg Rickel, the
Bishop of Olympia, has shared with me (and given me permission to share with
you, Gentle Reader) that he <u>does not support</u> Olympia’s proposed resolution. Here is a direct quote from Bishop Rickel,
shared with his permission: “</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Time will not solve
any of the issues they bring up, and that is all this offers, for us to wait,
yet again, to do what we call on the rest of the world to do at every
convention.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Money-Saving Proposals</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As Bishop Rickel points out, The
Episcopal Church is good at proclaiming that other people should act justly,
but not so good at acting justly ourselves when it costs us money. I’ll let the
irony of that statement speak for itself.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But what should we do about the fact
that the DHP costs money, and we don’t have so much money these days? How should we encourage ministry to keep
happening, employees to keep being employed, and churches to keep running even
as we are mandating increased employment costs?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think we can do this without
making any changes to the 2009 legislation at all. Let me point out that the DHP legislation
allows dioceses to set minimum coverage and cost-sharing guidelines for
churches. We don’t HAVE to pay 100% of a
very rich benefit plan and include the entire family of every employee, even
though that is often done for clergy under the current system. A diocese could create different rules. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In fact, although A177 does not
specifically allow it, a diocese could achieve parity for clergy and lay
employees over a period of years by creating a phase-in scheme. According to a CPG representative I
corresponded with, although A177 does not provide for a phase-in scheme on the
parity rules, the bishop of each diocese is the one responsible for enforcing
the canons of the church. Therefore, if
a diocesan scheme satisfies the bishop that it will achieve the goal of parity
in a reasonable period of time, CPG is not going to play compliance
police. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, if I were going to create a
diocesan implementation plan, here is what I would propose to my bishop:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“Grandfather” the benefits of every
person who is already covered under a CPG plan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">All those clergy with 100% family coverage of rich-benefit plans can
keep their insurance, and newly added employees do not have to receive the same
benefits.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">People working 1,500 hours or more
who are not currently insured will have to be added to the plan as of 1/1/13
(unless they meet one of the exceptions, like coverage under a spousal plan).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Newly added employees (new to the
plan, or new to the job, either one) would have to have parity with each other
– no difference between clergy and lay benefits.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The diocese would decide on a
minimum amount of coverage required.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Churches
could decide to provide more than the minimum, and employees could opt to pay
for more than the minimum. Some of the options below <u>could</u> be chosen by the diocese as minimum standards in order to save money:</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> > The minimum could be a high-deductible, low-cost plan.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> > It wouldn't have to include free family coverage. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> > Employees could share part of the cost of premiums.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> > Employees could pay more to upgrade any of the above.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> > Note, this is similar to what many secular employers do. </span></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The grandfather clause takes care of
the problem that we have a number of employees who are already covered under
very rich benefit plans, and it is an economic hardship to give the same
benefits to many newly added employees.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Only
newly added employees would be counted in the parity rules.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The result would be that over a
reasonable period of time, we would offer justice and parity to our lay
employees, without reducing benefits for people already covered under the old
system. Essentially, as clergy covered
under the old system retire, and new clergy come into the system, parity, and
justice, will be achieved. And it will
happen without the huge hit to parishes’ bottom line that many people fear is
coming next year. It’s a win-win. And it doesn’t require any new legislation at
all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-28022816152330735012012-05-27T16:48:00.001-07:002012-05-28T07:09:13.665-07:00Turning Outwards<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the day
of Pentecost, the disciples were all huddled together in one room, praying,
when the Holy Spirit blew through. We
see in Acts what the Holy Spirit does to a group of inward-focused
disciples. The Holy Spirit turns them
outward – teaches them new languages, inspires them to accomplish new missions, sends them out
to new people they never would have dreamed that God was interested in. From a circle turned inward, tightly closed
against the dangers of outsiders, the Church turned outward and began reaching
out to the world. Because reaching out
to a broken and hurting world in need of God’s salvation is the mission of the
Church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sadly, the Church's constant temptation is to turn back
inward and focus on ourselves instead of on our broken and hurting world. What are the signs of an inward-focused
church?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Decline in membership</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Confusion and discomfort about the purpose of
evangelism, and resulting failure to do it very well</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Focus on the people with money and power, rather than, say, powerless children and youth</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Lack of clarity about what mission is</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Focus on internal conflicts rather than
external mission.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh, those things would never happen in The
Episcopal Church, would they?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If Martians came to visit The Episcopal
Church, what would they think the church was for? What is our purpose, our mission, our
goal? I am not sure that they would see
widespread evidence of the Spirit turning us outward. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our Martian friends would, however, discover
lots of inward focus. Clearly they would
detect right away that our mission includes maintaining a headquarters in
Manhattan, housing a large staff. Quite likely they would conclude that our mission includes maintaining a
great number of costly and beautiful buildings, which are lightly occupied for
one hour a week. And most of all, I
think they would conclude that our mission was to argue with each other. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After all, since 2003 if not before, our
church has been convulsed with one argument after another.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The ordination of Bishop Gene Robinson, which
brought to a head the disagreement over the place of gays and lesbians in the
church.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The resulting breakups, spinoffs, and property
lawsuits.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The Proposed Anglican Covenant, now thankfully
put to bed for a nice long nap by our friends in the Church of England.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The whole question of “restructuring” the
church, which has highlighted various disagreements over mission, not to
mention tussles over leadership between Convention, Executive Council, Church
Center staff, and the House of Bishops.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Who’s in charge here?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh goodie, another conflict to sink our teeth
into.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, membership, attendance,
participation, and finances in The Episcopal Church continue to drop. See Nurya Love Parish’s blog post <a href="http://plainsongfarm.com/a-time-to-be-pruned/" target="_blank">here</a> for a
rundown of the numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Parenthetical note: I have to point out that engaging in
frequent conflicts over “issues” is characteristic of the way that Baby Boomers, the
current generation of leadership in our church, operate, according to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Generations-History-Americas-Future-1584/dp/0688119123/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338162368&sr=8-1" target="_blank">William Strauss and Neil Howe</a> . Strauss and Howe call the Baby Boomers an “Idealist” generation,
who will often engage in conflicts over values
they see as absolute. In the conflict
over gays and lesbians, for instance, the “conservatives” see themselves as
guardians of Truth, while the “liberals” see themselves as crusaders for
Justice. Well, in a conflict between
Truth and Justice, no one is ever going to back down. Compromise is hopeless.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now that the conflict over gays and lesbians is beginning to
fade a bit (so we can hope), “restructuring” threatens to convulse us in
another internal controversy. Who is
right here? Those who <a href="http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/episcopal_church/bishop_sauls_writes_to_the_sta_1.html" target="_blank">argue</a> that the Church
Center staff needs to lead, or risk having the future imposed upon them? Those who argue that representative
government is a founding hallmark of our church structure, and should not be
tampered with? Those who truly believe
that bishops are ordained and called by God to lead, in preference over the
other orders of ministry?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would have a wonderful time addressing all
these questions, if I thought they were the most important thing right
now. But they are not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here is what is important. This church has a mission, and the longer we
expend all our energy on internal squabbles, the more that mission will slip
out of our grasp. Let’s forget about
arguing with each other. Let’s see how
we can refocus, together, on mission. Let’s
turn our faces away from those oh-so-fascinating internal conflicts, and turn
them outwards toward a world that needs to know the reconciling love of
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After all, Jesus didn’t say, “Stay here and
talk about theology and church politics with each other, with an occasional
worship service thrown in.” What Jesus
said was “Go.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Go
therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do
everything that I have commanded you.
And remember that I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28: 19-20.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not stay here and argue. Go and do mission. Don’t sit around and spend all your energy on
internal conflicts. Go out there where
the people are – the ones who haven’t heard that God loves them, the ones who
haven’t had their lives transformed by Jesus Christ, the ones who are hungry
and hurting and in despair. Go. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We need to change our structures, yes, to get
rid of all the things that are causing us to stay put in old, inward-focused,
hierarchical structures (like an office building in Manhattan). We need to streamline our governance, yes, to
allow the leaders of our church to operate in ways that are visionary and mission-oriented
rather than being consumed with the minutiae of legislative procedures and
Robert’s Rules of Order. We need to
re-think our budget, yes, to empower mission at all levels of the church rather
than pay for the internally-focused structures that are keeping us stuck. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And doing all these things will require some
internal politics to make them happen.
But let’s make decisions that will allow God’s Holy Spirit to blow
through our church. Let’s create
structures that require and empower us to focus on mission. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are three proposals that attempt to do
just that. Please contact me at <a href="mailto:susansnook@thenativity.net">susansnook@thenativity.net</a> if you
have suggestions, comments, or are interested in co-sponsoring these resolutions. </span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/resolution-calling-for-churchwide.html" target="_blank">Proposed Resolution 1</a> calls for a churchwide
visioning process, involving all levels of the church, based heavily on Bible study, prayer, and discernment of
God’s Spirit, leading to a restructuring plan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Let the Holy Spirit blow!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Don’t
do this by political maneuvering!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Do it
by prayer and letting God show the way!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/resolution-to-base-budget-on-marks-of.html" target="_blank">Proposed Resolution 2</a> requires us to refocus
our budget on true mission, rather than on administrative and governance
costs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">If a budget is a missionary
document, let’s refocus ours on mission.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/resolution-to-move-out-of-815.html" target="_blank">Proposed Resolution 3</a> looks toward a future when we
will no longer have a hierarchical-model corporate headquarters in Manhattan,
but will be leaner, more horizontal, and less expensive in our churchwide staff
structure. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Click on the links above to see the full texts of the proposed Resolutions.</span></div>
<br />Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-70196097619711841892012-05-27T16:36:00.000-07:002012-05-28T07:03:36.735-07:00A Resolution Calling for a Churchwide Visioning ProcessHere is a resolution for General Convention 2012 calling for a churchwide process of prayer, Bible study, and discernment of God's mission, leading to a plan for how best to achieve that mission. This proposal is based on my blog post <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/04/mission-mission-mission.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the House of
____________ concurring, that the Presiding Bishop and the President of the
House of Deputies shall appoint a Task Force on the Vision and Mission of the
Church by October 31, 2012, composed of twelve to eighteen Episcopalians,
including lay, clergy, and bishop members; and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Presiding
Bishop, the President of the House of Deputies, and Executive Council each
appoint one person to serve in an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ex
officio</i> capacity on the Task Force as a liaison to their office or Council;
and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Presiding
Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies be encouraged to include a
significant number of members on the Task Force who are not otherwise involved
in high levels of governance in the Church; and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Task Force on
the Vision and Mission of the Church shall train facilitators to engage the
whole church in a spiritual discernment process including Bible study, prayer,
and group discussion, to discover where God is leading local churches in mission
and ministry, and how the churchwide structure can best support and empower
that ministry; and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that each diocese of
this church shall be invited to engage in this spiritual discernment process,
and that other entities related to the church, such as ministry networks,
provinces, seminaries, or Episcopal-affiliated entities, be permitted and
encouraged to participate in the process during 2013, and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Task Force on
the Vision and Mission of the Church shall also be empowered to investigate and
make recommendations, in conjunction with other church bodies, on a plan for:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Future location of offices of the Church
Center;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Most effective staffing organization and
structure for the Church Center;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Possible changes to governing structures
of the Church for the purpose of increased effectiveness and reduced cost;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">An improved budgeting process that
empowers the Church for mission and ministry; and be it further</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Task Force on
the Vision and Mission of the Church shall use the results of the discernment
process and other investigations to make a report to Executive Council and the
Standing Commission on Structure by February 2014, containing recommendations
for how the churchwide structure, staff and budget might best be organized to
empower local and churchwide ministry, and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Task Force on
the Vision and Mission of the Church shall be given the authority to propose
“A” resolutions to the next General Convention or Special Convention in order
to implement the recommendations in its report, and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that Program, Budget,
and Finance be asked to consider an appropriation of $500,000 to implement the
requirements of this resolution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Explanation</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many people believe that it is time to
restructure the church to reduce costs and effectively empower mission;
however, people at the grassroots level of the church must be engaged in the
discussion if a truly new and empowering solution is to be implemented. This resolution allows for a group of people,
including some outsiders to current governing structures, to engage the whole
church in a process of prayer and discernment of God’s will for the
church. By asking for God’s guidance in
a very intentional way, and by engaging the broadest possible variety of groups
in this discernment process, the church has the best chance of restructuring
for God’s mission in the next century.
In addition, the grassroots discernment process has the capability of
helping local and diocesan groups awaken their own hopes and vision for
ministry at the local level. Further,
the group will have the ability to propose changes to churchwide structures,
including governance, location, staffing, and budgeting, that will enable The
Episcopal Church to adapt to a rapidly changing 21<sup>st</sup> century
ministry context. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-5930058337539784552012-05-27T16:33:00.005-07:002012-05-28T07:05:04.719-07:00A Resolution to Base Budget on Marks of MissionHere is a proposed resolution for General Convention 2012 (see blog post <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-that-elephant.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> for explanation):<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>Resolved</i>, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the
House of _____________ concurring, that this Convention reaffirms its
commitment to the Anglican Communion, and accordingly reaffirms the Anglican
Five Marks of Mission as an appropriate statement of mission in this church;
and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>Resolved</i>, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that
the Five Marks of Mission are:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To teach, baptize and nurture new believers</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To respond to human need by loving service</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To seek to transform unjust structures of society</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain
and renew the life of the earth; and be it further</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>Resolved</i>, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that
this Convention affirms the following categories of ministry as further
important Components of Mission of this Church:</span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To build Religious Relationships, including such ministries
as ecumenical relations, Anglican Communion relations, and Federal Ministries,
and</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To develop Stewardship and Leadership; and be it further</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>Resolved</i>, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that
Program, Budget and Finance be directed to center the churchwide budget on
these seven priorities, clearly delineating which costs are attributable to
each category, and ensuring that at least sixty percent of the budget for the
2013-2015 triennium be directly allocable to these priorities; and be it
further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>Resolved</i>, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that
expenses not attributable to the Mission categories described above be reduced
so that they comprise no more than thirty percent of the churchwide budget by
the 2016-2018 triennium. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Explanation</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Anglican Communion has recognized the
Five Marks of Mission as examples of how God works in each culture.According to
the explanation of the Five Marks on the Anglican Communion website: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Mission: Announcing good news</span></b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first mark of mission, identified at ACC-6 with personal
evangelism, is really a summary of what all mission is about, because it is
based on Jesus' own summary of his mission (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:14-15, Luke
4:18, Luke 7:22; cf. John 3:14-17). Instead of being just one (albeit the
first) of five distinct activities, this should be the key statement about
everything we do in mission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Mission in context</span></b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All mission is done in a particular setting - the context. So,
although there is a fundamental unity to the good news, it is shaped by the
great diversity of places, times and cultures in which we live, proclaim and
embody it. The Five Marks should not lead us to think that there are only five
ways of doing mission!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Mission as celebration and thanksgiving</span></b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An important feature of Anglicanism is our belief that worship
is central to our common life. But worship is not just something we do
alongside our witness to the good news: worship is itself a witness to the
world. It is a sign that all of life is holy, that hope and meaning can be
found in offering ourselves to God (cf. Romans 12:1). And each time we
celebrate the Eucharist, we proclaim Christ's death until he comes (1 Cor.
11:26). Our liturgical life is a vital dimension of our mission calling; and
although it is not included in the Five Marks, it undergirds the forms of
public witness listed there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Mission as church</span></b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Five Marks stress the doing of mission. Faithful action is
the measure of our response to Christ (cf. Matt. 25:31-46; James 2:14-26).
However, the challenge facing us is not just to do mission but to be a people
of mission. That is, we are learning to allow every dimension of church life to
be shaped and directed by our identity as a sign, foretaste and instrument of
God's reign in Christ. Our understanding of mission needs to make that clear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Mission as God-in-action</span></b><span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Mission goes out from God.
Mission is God's way of loving and saving the world... So mission is never our
invention or choice." (Lambeth Conference 1998, Section II p121). The
initiative in mission is God's, not ours. We are called simply to serve God's
mission by living and proclaiming the good news.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This resolution calls
The Episcopal Church to reaffirm its commitment to the Anglican Communion and
to doing mission in a characteristically Anglican way. It calls the churchwide structure away from
over-spending on administrative and governance costs, toward refocusing on
empowering the people of The Episcopal Church for mission, by requiring that
administrative and governance costs be contained and that costs of mission
become the priority of this church.
Executive Council’s proposed budget for the 2013-2015 triennium proposes
that expenses falling into the five Anglican Marks of Mission categories, plus
the two additional Mission categories named above, comprise only 55% of the
total budget. The remainder of the
budget is composed of administrative and governance expenses. This resolution recognizes that these levels
of administrative and governance costs are too high, and requires that these
costs be contained over a reasonable period of time. </span></span>
</span>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-40686957117701070922012-05-27T16:30:00.000-07:002012-05-28T07:06:04.219-07:00A Resolution to Move Out of 815A proposed resolution for General Convention 2012 (see blog post <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-that-elephant.html" target="_blank">Here</a> for explanation):<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the House of
_____________ concurring, that this Convention supports moving the Church
Center headquarters away from the Church Center building at 815 2<sup>nd</sup>
Ave., New York City, as soon as it makes economic sense to do so; and be it
further <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that Executive Council
be directed to appoint a Task Force on Real Property including knowledgeable
real estate and finance experts, working in cooperation with the Cushman &
Wakefield study that is already in process, to explore alternatives and make
recommendations for the most effective economic way of selling, leasing, or
otherwise disposing of the Church Center building at 815 2<sup>nd</sup> Ave,
New York City; and be it further <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Task Force on
Real Property make its report to Executive Council by February 2013; and be it
further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that Executive Council
proceed with all appropriate speed to place the building at 815 2<sup>nd</sup>
Ave., New York City, on the market for sale, lease, or other disposal, in
accordance with the Task Force Recommendations, as soon as it makes economic
sense to do so; and be it further<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that Executive Council
appoint a separate Task Force on Church Center Location to identify other
suitable alternatives for locating the Church Center, giving special attention
to available properties owned by Episcopal-affiliated entities, locations close
to large airports, ease of travel, cost of living for Church Center employees,
and cost of acquiring or leasing the properties; and be it further <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that the Task Force on
Church Center Location make its report to Executive Council by February 2013;
and be it further<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resolved,
</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that Executive Council
be prepared to relocate the Church Center headquarters to the new location or
locations as soon as it is economically feasible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Explanation</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Church Center building in New York
City is too large and too expensive for the church’s needs, and wiser, more
economic alternatives are available. The
Church needs to move away from a hierarchical-model corporate headquarters in
Manhattan, toward a less expensive Church Center that is more accessible to a
broad spectrum of Episcopalians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-38361012067426167222012-05-03T10:39:00.000-07:002012-05-07T18:09:31.901-07:00Empowering Mission<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>This is the fourth post in a series. For the other posts, see:</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Day One: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/04/deck-chairs.html" target="_blank">Deck Chairs</a></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Day Two: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/will-real-subsidiarity-principle-please.html" target="_blank">Will the Real Subsidiarity Principle Please Stand Up</a>?</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Day Three: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-that-elephant.html" target="_blank">About That Elephant</a></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few days ago, I <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/04/deck-chairs.htm" target="_blank">argued</a> that the real problem
facing The Episcopal Church isn’t our budget, or our budget process, or our
churchwide structure. The real problem
is the fact that we are declining precipitously in attendance, membership, and
finances. Those other things are just
symptoms of the real problem. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And yes, we are declining because the culture
has shifted around us, because our core membership group isn’t having babies at
the same rate it used to, because immigrant non-Episcopal and non-Christian
groups are growing as a percentage of the population, because we live in a
post-Christendom world where many people are spiritual, but not religious, and
don’t identify as members of any religious group. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These are reasons, but they are not
excuses. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After all, we are called by Jesus to join him
in God’s mission. That mission can be
described in many ways, but most assuredly it includes the Great Commission of
Matthew 28:19-20: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In
other words, we are called to the ministry of evangelism. We are called to reach new people with the
good news of Christ. We are called to do
all the work of discipleship – evangelism, teaching, baptism, and acts of
loving service. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But
how can we inspire our church to a spiritual reawakening? How can the churchwide structure help a group
of loyal Episcopalians do the work of evangelism when many Episcopalians are
watching their churches decline, don’t understand the reasons why, and don’t
know how to make a change? How can we
provide a space for the Holy Spirit to move and bring us to a place of new hope
and new inspiration? After all, as Jesus
says in Luke 10:2:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“The harvest is plentiful, but the
laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers
into his harvest.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God’s
harvest is more abundant than ever. How
can we become the laborers we’re waiting for?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">In Diana Butler Bass’ book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christianity After Religion</i>, she makes
the point that the change we are experiencing is occurring in many places, and
it is important to recognize the universality of the phenomenon while
simultaneously taking steps to address the environment for which we are
accountable. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">One of the
arresting comments in her book is this: <b>“In this terrain, changed minds and
hearts – that is, what we think about ourselves, God, and the world – precede
institutional change (which means, of course, that those people who seek to
change minds by changing institutions are probably working backwards).”</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes,
we need to re-think churchwide structures, cut costs, and reorganize
governance. But that’s not the most
important thing. The most important
thing is to change our minds and hearts, to open ourselves to the movement of
the Spirit, to allow God to show us God’s deepest dreams and hopes for us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I
think we need a churchwide process of spiritual discernment that includes Bible
study, prayer, and visioning about the future of our church and our
ministry. I think this discernment
process needs to involve people at all levels of the church, not just General
Convention or provincial or diocesan leaders.
I think this process should be led by people who are not already leaders
of our current church structures, so that they can listen for the feedback
coming from the people, and use it to make Spirit-led proposals that are not bound
by the current structures of the church.
Only then will real change be possible.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #030000; font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Here
is what I am proposing:</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Create a churchwide consultation to engage all
levels of the church in a visioning process, helping people who are NOT
involved in current governing structures – i.e., those who are busy with local
ministry and who don’t have a churchwide voice – to express their own longings
and dreams for the church. What would
they like to do, if only they had the money?
How could the churchwide office empower them for mission? What resources do they need and long
for? How is God calling them to move in
their own ministry? What harvest do they see waiting, ripe and golden, in their neighborhoods, if only they had the laborers to go out into the harvest?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The visioning process, if constructed
creatively for discernment, would itself be a catalyst for local ministry, even
without considering the feedback brought back to the churchwide level. We could ask them about structure too, but
frankly I don’t think they care. They care about local mission. And that’s as it should be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And
guess what – the visioning process would help people at all levels of the
church focus on the real problem – their need to respond to God’s call to do
mission, ministry, and evangelism. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because I don’t think this ship is going to
sink. I think the Holy Spirit is going
to use this process to make this church into something new, a renewed,
inspired, reawakened church that transforms many lives in this century, and for
centuries to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Next Post:
Where I Think This Ship is Going</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-40639794604937606242012-05-02T07:20:00.003-07:002012-05-04T12:02:53.521-07:00About That Elephant<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>See Part One of this Series Here: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/04/deck-chairs.html" target="_blank">Deck Chairs</a>.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>See Part Two Here: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/will-real-subsidiarity-principle-please.html" target="_blank">Will the Real Subsidiarity Principle Please Stand Up?</a></i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In our continuing series about how to spend
The Episcopal Church’s money strategically, to empower mission, ministry, and
evangelism, today we are addressing the burning question:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What should we NOT be spending money on?</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will try to restrain myself from gleefully
rubbing my hands together. So many
living room elephants to choose from – so little time!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Look, we don’t have enough money to do all the
things the Church Center has done in the past.
Where to cut? Two major arguments
have been advanced: cut governance
(because it is too costly and cumbersome), and cut program (based on the
subsidiarity principle). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What huge white-elephant category of expenses
is being ignored by both the anti-governance and the pro-subsidiarity
arguments? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Administration. Administration at the Church Center is
getting a free pass.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago I did an <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/03/budget-is-out-and-its-not-pretty.html" target="_blank">analysis of the proposed budget</a> that divided it into 7 categories: the five Marks of Mission categories,
and two additional categories: (6) Administration and (7) Governance. Since then, I have refined my analysis. Some folks have rightly pointed out that the five
Marks of Mission categories don’t include a classification for Other Good
Things – like ecumenical relations, which everyone agrees should be done at a
churchwide level and which aren’t really administrative in nature. (I had included these costs in administration
because there was no Marks of Mission category to put them in.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Therefore, I have added two new categories to
my analysis: (8) Building Religious
Relationships (including ecumenical relations, Anglican Communion relations,
and Federal Ministries); and (9) Stewardship & Leadership Development (including
the Development Office, Congregational Vitality, Transition Ministries, the
Office of Pastoral Development, etc.).
With these two new categories, the proposed churchwide budget breaks out
as follows (if you would like to see my calculations, please email me at <a href="mailto:susansnook@thenativity.net">susansnook@thenativity.net</a>):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Anglican Marks of Mission</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> <u>Amount Percent<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">1. To proclaim the good news of the Kingdom $ 2,283,270 2.15%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">2. To
teach, baptize, and nurture new believers $ 286,438 0.27%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">3. To
respond to human need by loving service $26,428,618 24.91%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">4. To
seek to transform unjust structures $ 4,600,551 4.34%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">5. To
sustain, renew life of the earth $ 106,470
0.10%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Not included as marks of mission, but
categorized as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">6.
Administration $46,823,109 44.13%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">7.
Governance $12,298,810 11.59%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">8.
Building Religious Relationships $ 5,207,010 4.91%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">9.
Stewardship and Leadership Development $ 8,067,497 7.60%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you see what I see? After all is said and done, the glaring
enormous over-inflated budget item is not Christian Formation, not at all. It is Administration. When pared down as noted above, it comprises
over 44% of our churchwide budget. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That
doesn’t even count the cost of General Convention! </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, Administration is the same category
of expenses that gives us a finance office that costs over $7 million to run and
can’t add a budget spreadsheet up correctly.
(I am sorry to have to point out the obvious. I would rather be churchy-nice and not point
out or ask for accountability for expensive mistakes.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is also the same category of expenses that
brings us an office building in Manhattan, the most expensive real estate on
earth, based on that old Eisenhower-era hierarchical corporate headquarters
model. Based on the proposed budget, the
costs of operating that piece of real estate are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Debt
Service $
8,700,000<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Facilities
Management $
6,443,156<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Offset
by Rental Income <u>(
4,050,000)</u><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Net
Cost $11,093,156<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do not understand why we are going after
Program Expenses before we go after the hyper-inflated costs of administration
at the Church Center. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here’s what I propose: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sell,
lease, or otherwise dispose of 815, and look for a more economic alternative
elsewhere, such as using vacant space at cathedrals, seminaries, etc. This will take some time, so it won’t save us
money immediately – we need to understand this.
But there’s no more time to dither about it! Do it!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reduce
the asking to the dioceses, and cut the total budget to $101 million (right now
it stands at $106 million, counting the Development Office error <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/03/budget-is-out-and-its-not-pretty.html" target="_blank">explained here</a>
– it is a deficit budget of $1.25 million). </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Require
that administrative expenses comprise no more than 35% of the 2013-2015
churchwide budget. That’s a significant decrease from the current 44% of the
budget. In 2016-2018, the administrative percentage would be required to drop
to 30%. The phase-in allows some time to
study the situation and make adjustments necessary. (Note: the percentages depend on the way I
have classified administrative expenses: for instance, I have included
Communications, part of the cost of the PB’s office, etc. If you quibble with the way I have calculated
administration, fine, but if we change that, we need to change the percentages
too.)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Freeze salaries at the Church Center. The proposed budget includes across-the-board salary increases of 3% per year. How many folks working for local churches get that kind of guaranteed raise these days?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Look
into outsourcing certain departments like Human Resources, streamlining
personnel in administrative departments, or other strategies for reducing
administrative costs. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, we can also streamline governance
expenses. I am skeptical of the idea of
holding a Special Convention (very expensive and unlikely to produce real
change unless it is preceded by a real visioning and change process), but I
certainly believe that we can “sunset” some CCABs and significantly reduce the
expenses of others. And we can consider
ways to reduce the cost of General Convention itself, such as allowing much
work to be done beforehand, electronically, or reducing deputation size. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, we cannot count on any cost savings
for these possible changes in the current triennium, because they would require
a constitutional convention, and no changes would take place this
triennium. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What we can do, right away, is address the
unacceptable level of administrative expense at the Church Center. We can make a real decision to sell 815 and
move to a less-costly alternative, and we can realign our staffing structure,
outsourcing some departments and streamlining others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We can do it because it’s worth it. Because you and I aren’t writing those pledge
checks every week so we can maintain
$46.8 million of administrative expenses. We’re writing them because we believe in the
mission, ministry, and evangelism of this church. What we have is worth sharing, and it’s worth
spending money on – strategically. But
not on elephants. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay Tuned for Tomorrow's Post: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/empowering-mission.html" target="_blank">Empowering Mission</a>.</i></span></span></div>
</span>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-476844984883740662012-05-01T11:19:00.000-07:002012-05-02T07:29:10.993-07:00Will the Real Subsidiarity Principle Please Stand Up?<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In yesterday's post, <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/04/deck-chairs.html" target="_blank">Deck Chairs</a>, I pointed out that the real problem in our church is the need to refocus on mission, ministry, and evangelism. Those are things that happen mainly on the local level. Yet we need to think carefully about how the churchwide structure can empower the whole church for mission. My next three posts will talk about these questions:</span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">How can a Church Center staff be best used to empower mission, ministry, and evangelism in today's world?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What should the Church Center NOT be spending money on?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">How can we awaken the whole church for mission, ministry, and evangelism?</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Today's post is about the first question. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">What can the churchwide structure do to
empower the whole church for mission, ministry and evangelism?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let’s start with the presenting problem: the proposed budget for 2013-2015.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the ongoing budget discussion, two major
principles have been advanced to reduce The Episcopal Church’s over-inflated
and unsustainable budget. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Bishop
Stacy Sauls, the Church Center’s Chief Operating Officer, advanced the first
argument in his presentation to the House of Bishops, when he argued that
“overhead” was too high, and proposed that we slash overhead by realigning the
governance structures of the church.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">This would require a constitutional convention to change the format of
General Convention and the many canonically required CCABs and other bodies.</span></li>
</ul>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Since
that time, the discussion has advanced to another argument: subsidiarity (it’s
all the rage these days).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Many people
have talked about this idea, and the Standing Commission on Structure proposes
to enshrine it in our polity in proposed resolution A090, which asks us to
embrace subsidiarity as a fundamental principle of our polity.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“Subsidiarity” can be understood to mean that
ministry is most effectively done at the local level, and “higher” levels in
the hierarchy should only do the things that are most appropriate for them,
generally the things that “lower” levels cannot do.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Subsidiarity is a hallmark of Anglicanism. We believe, in general, that ministry should be locally adapted and locally
managed. Yet we are gathered into larger
structures for a number of reasons, and among them is this: because together,
we can do some things better than we can do alone. A churchwide structure truly can empower
local ministry by gathering people together in large groups to teach and learn,
by pooling resources to provide shared resources for all, and by providing
networks of experts that can speak, consult, and inspire at the local
level. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So I don’t think that the
subsidiarity principle gives us carte blanche to go cutting all program
expenses from the churchwide budget. I
think that it requires us to think carefully about what a churchwide structure
can do effectively, and use our funds strategically to make those things
happen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let me give you an example of what a churchwide
structure can do from the perspective of one network I have been involved in
for the last 6 years: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS). (I have just finished my term as a TENS board
member.) TENS is an independent
churchwide network of people who are expert in and passionate about stewardship,
providing stewardship conferences, a resource-rich stewardship website, and
stewardship speakers at diocesan and regional conferences and seminaries. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">The TEC Program Officer for Stewardship serves
as a member of the TENS board, and has been able to help TENS network across
the church. She has also been able to
use her program budget to help fund some particular initiatives of TENS, such
as the development of TENS’ new website (</span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><a href="http://www.tens.org/">www.tens.org</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">), which provides hands-on, easily accessed tools for stewardship, to help parishes do a
better job with stewardship, without requiring local ministers to reinvent the
wheel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now personally, I would like to see a whole
churchwide office full of people who create, support and empower networks that
do local ministry, without requiring local ministers to reinvent the wheel. I would like to see people getting passionate
about evangelism, Christian Formation, church planting, stewardship, Latino
ministries, and on and on, because of the network-building that Church Center
people do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would like to see this happen through the work of Network Builders who empower ministry, rather than Program Officers who are experts in ministry.
As The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zcheile says in his article “General Convention
in Context” (quoted in the Blue Book report of the Standing Committee on
Mission and Evangelism): <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We now live in an age of participatory networks rather than
centralized bureaucracies. How can General Convention be reimagined to support
learning, innovation, networking, and renewal among peers in mission at the
grass roots? One of the hallmarks of Anglicanism is its adaptability as the
context changes. Today is a moment calling for major adaptation if the church
is to live into its name as the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would add that this networking concept
applies not just to General Convention, but also to the whole concept of a
denominational “headquarters.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Specifically, I propose that we create an
Office of Networking to find ways to creatively network people for mission in
the church. Instead of Program Officers
in charge of specific areas of expertise at the Church Center, we would have
Networkers. The Networkers would work
with groups like TENS and Forma that are already active, helping to empower
their work. And in areas where we don’t
have active networks, or have nascent networks, like evangelism or
congregational development, the Office of Networking would help to gather
people to create the networks we need. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rather than doing direct ministry, the Office
of Networking would give grants to creative ministry networks or projects that
empower ministry in specified areas, so it would need a budget for ministry grants. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fewer program officers would likely be required on churchwide staff under this configuration, because the
networking concept allows for the development of local leaders, communicating
and sharing resources across networks. Grants
from the Networking office would empower this leadership and sharing. Networking would help
ensure that the transition to a leaner churchwide structure doesn’t reduce
ministry resources available – in fact, it might even increase them, because
networks involve many more people who are passionate about and expert in a
ministry area than a lone Program Officer.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An Episcopal Ministry Network website could
showcase all the different ministry opportunities and resources available
churchwide, including items such as:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Stewardship
resources from TENS and the Episcopal Church Foundation;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Christian
Formation resources from Forma and from unofficial Episcopal-affiliated groups like
Leader Resources, Church Publishing, Forward Movement, etc.;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Resources
for empowering ethnic ministries;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Training
and leadership resources for church planting;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Leadership
and congregational development resources;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">And
so on.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">And remember what I said in yesterday’s
post?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The REAL problem isn’t the
budget.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">The REAL problem is our need to
refocus on mission, ministry, and evangelism, to reach new generations and
populations.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Additional attention to
networking at a churchwide level will allow us to address the REAL problem by
giving local ministries the resources they need to refocus on mission,
ministry, and evangelism.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">And that’s a
win-win all around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay tuned for tomorrow's post: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-that-elephant.html" target="_blank">About That Elephant</a>.</i></span></span></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-63742739393290484152012-04-29T23:25:00.001-07:002012-05-01T16:21:02.040-07:00Deck Chairs<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here’s a multiple-choice question for
you. As the Titanic encountered some
difficulties the night of April 14-15, 1912, the problem was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A. Deck chairs were getting disarranged by the
way the ship was listing at an odd angle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">B. It was rather cold outside, and the chill in
the air wasn’t helped by the cold water splashing up over the side of the ship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">C. All those noisy people up on deck were
creating quite a traffic pileup as people tried to get into the lifeboats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">D. The ship had hit an iceberg and was sinking
fast.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you guessed D – bing bing bing! You’re right!
Those other difficulties were not the problem – they were symptoms of
the problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now, let’s try another one. As The Episcopal Church faces some challenges
in the next triennium, the problem is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A. General Convention costs too much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">B. The budget process is incompetent,
untransparent, and error-ridden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">C. The churchwide structure has gotten too big
and too costly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">D. The church’s membership has declined
precipitously over the past 10 years, leading to steep drop-offs in attendance
and financial support at all levels of the church organizational structure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Surprise, surprise – the answer once again is
D! Bing bing bing! Those other difficulties aren’t the problem –
they are symptoms of the problem. We
have declined in attendance, membership and financial support, and the
resulting anxiety has led to huge budget difficulties and the need to revamp
our church structure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now, it is important to address all the
difficulties we face. But let’s don’t
fool ourselves that the problem is, say, that General Convention costs too
much, or that the Church Center employs too many people. The problem is much bigger than that. The problem is that the culture has shifted
around us, we have not shifted with it, and therefore we are in decline. That’s the problem that underlies all the
other problems, and that’s the problem we need to address. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is a problem that is shared by all
other mainline denominations, and it is a problem that the non-denominational
mega-churches are beginning to face, too.
We live in a post-Christendom society, where people don’t see any reason
to be “cultural” Christians – those religious, but not necessarily spiritual,
regular church attenders and pledgers who filled the pews back in the
1960s. We don’t have those folks any
more. And our way of evangelism (uh, whatever that is) has not reached the growing immigrant and
non-Anglo population in our culture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These are reasons - they are not excuses. They are not excuses for our failure to do evangelism with emerging generations and new cultures. We have not shifted with the culture and learned new ways of doing evangelism. We have just relied on the surrounding culture to bring people to us. Times have shifted and they're not coming any more. We need to learn new ways of reaching new people, and we haven't done it yet. Because of these failures</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">, our church is in decline.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We can react to this fact in two ways: we can
wring our hands, rearrange deck chairs, reorganize structures, and settle in
for a long and graceful good-bye. Or, we
can refocus on mission, ministry, and evangelism. We can focus efforts on people under 35 and
on immigrant cultures. We can look for a
spiritual reawakening that will allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into a new
era of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yes, we can react to the other problems too –
but until we refocus on mission, ministry, and evangelism, we will be just
rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is the first in a series of posts about The Problem. Next up: <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/05/will-real-subsidiarity-principle-please.html" target="_blank">Will the Real Subsidiarity Principle Please Stand Up</a>?</i></span></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1748991130484013814.post-20369393432828491742012-04-13T21:08:00.007-07:002012-04-16T21:32:33.254-07:00Mission ... Mission ... Mission<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“We’re on a mission from God,” proclaimed the famous sages, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blues_Brothers_(film)" target="_blank">Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi</a>, as they proceeded to put on cool shades and fedoras, visit a memorable nun, track down the old band members, put Aretha Franklin in a very bad mood, and lead the Chicago police on a wild, wild ride. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fortunately for them, Aykroyd and Belushi seemed to have a much clearer understanding of their mission than we Episcopalians do. “The heartbeat of the church is mission … mission … mission,” said Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori in her sermon at General Convention in 2009. As I listened to her sermon, I was inspired (though I might argue that the heartbeat of the church is actually the living Christ). But I also found myself puzzled: what does she mean by “mission”? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Chief Operating Officer Stacy Sauls, who presumably shares the PB’s outlook on mission, clarified their view of mission in his sample “restructuring” resolution for the coming General Convention. He called for a plan </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Calisto MT';">to “facilitate this Church’s faithful engagement in Christ’s mission to proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18).” Reading that mission statement from the gospel of Luke broadly, one could say that the mission of the church is to do social justice work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But what about the other gospels? What about other statements even within Luke’s gospel? What about the whole witness of scripture? Here are some other scriptural mission statements (certainly not a complete list): <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Matthew 28:19-20</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“The first [commandment] is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">There is no other commandment greater than these.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Mark 12:29-31</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Mark 16:15</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest…. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road…. Whenever you enter a town…cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Luke 10:2-9</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“Do this in remembrance of me.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Luke 22:19</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">John 15:12</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">Acts 1:8</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">1 Corinthians 11:26</span></li>
</ul><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Based on that incomplete list of scriptural mission statements, we could say that the mission of the church includes: evangelism, worship, formation of disciples, celebration of the sacraments, loving one another, healing, and serving others in need. Not surprisingly, most churches recognize exactly these actions as integral parts of their mission. So do the Five Anglican Marks of Mission, more or less:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">To teach, baptize and nurture new believers</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">To respond to human need by loving service</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">To seek to transform unjust structures of society</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Calisto MT'; font-size: large;">To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Why then does the sample resolution limit the church’s mission to a narrow piece of our full biblical mandate? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a conversation with Bishop Sauls, he told me that he believes that as we come face to face with the poor, we are formed as disciples – in other words, service to others IS Christian Formation. This is lovely and true, and I appreciate what he is saying out of his own deep faith and service. But it is incomplete. First of all, some Episcopalians ARE poor – we should question our own social location if we start assuming that Christian formation is a matter of coming face to face with these strangers, the poor. Secondly, not everyone has the leisure or financial resources to help the poor to a very large extent - not the average working family, and certainly not your average 10-year-old who needs to learn about Jesus. Surely we are not depending on people's charity work to do ALL of their Christian Formation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And third: Jesus himself, as he proclaimed that mission statement in Luke’s gospel, was quoting Isaiah: he was speaking out of a lifetime of religious education in the Hebrew scriptures that he had studied, memorized, internalized, and applied to life. Like Jesus, we have to learn it first before we apply it. And, if we want our church to survive, and thrive, and grow, and serve, we need to help others learn it too. We can’t just assume that everyone who will ever be Christian already is, and all we have to do is put them (or their money) to work!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If the church neglects to form disciples through evangelism, worship and education, in 50 years we will have no one left to do the acts of loving service to others that comprise what Sauls and Jefferts Schori think of as mission … mission … mission. It takes disciples to do discipleship work. And therefore, evangelism and Christian formation need to be at the foundation of our church’s mission. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We need to recognize that any restructuring of our church will be impoverished indeed if we limit ourselves to only one bit of what Jesus has commanded us to do. We all have different gifts, and different portions of the mission that we are especially called to fulfill, but together, as a church, as the Body of Christ, we are commanded to do all these things. Because, you know, we’re on a mission from God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">RESTRUCTURING FOR MISSION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happily, we have already defined our mission: General Convention 2009 Resolution D027 did exactly this by adopting the Anglican Marks of Mission and requiring our budget priorities to be based on these Marks. I can’t see any indication that Executive Council’s proposed budget actually considers these Marks as priorities, but that’s no reason for PB&F or Convention 2012 to let them get away with neglecting the priorities we have already adopted! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My <a href="http://goodandjoyfulthing.blogspot.com/2012/03/jarndyce-vs-jarndyce-and-short-term.html" target="_blank">previous blog post</a> recommended that we adopt a quick fix that freezes administrative costs that are universally agreed to be too high, while maintaining mission-oriented ministries like the Office of Christian Formation. I believe that this is the right approach for this year. But it’s a quick fix, and won’t take us very far into the future. Chief Operating Officer Sauls is absolutely right that the church needs to be restructured for mission, and he is to be congratulated for getting the conversation kicked into high gear. Let’s talk about how to do this restructuring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First, let’s define the problem. Why are we restructuring? We are restructuring quite simply because the church is in decline. The financial woes are only a symptom of the underlying problem: declining membership, declining attendance, and aging church membership compared to the population as a whole. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We can run through all the usual excuses: all the mainline denominations are declining, many conservatives left amid a whole bunch of conflict, new generations aren’t interested in institutions, etc. In other words, it’s not our fault. To which I say: Whatever. There are plenty of people out there who have not had their lives transformed by Jesus Christ. As Jesus says in Luke 10:2: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” We are the laborers – the harvest is there. We need to ask God to send us out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That’s why we’re restructuring. We’re getting back to our roots. It’s time to start accomplishing the mission Jesus is sending us to do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Several proposals have been floated for restructuring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Hold a Special Constitutional Convention</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> devoted to restructuring. I am extremely skeptical of this idea. It’s too expensive, for one thing. And I truly believe that without a carefully designed and mission-oriented grassroots change process preceding a restructuring convention, change will not occur. That’s the lesson of what Rabbi Edwin Friedman calls “homeostasis”: a system will naturally work to protect the balance it has already achieved, whether that balance is healthy or not. I believe that a special convention without a great deal of underlying change work would simply result in all the interest groups in the church rising up to protect themselves and maintain their current balance. No real change would happen. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We need to make a <u>plan</u> for change that is widely agreed upon and includes the voices of a wide variety of people before trying to legislate change.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Rearrange the way General Convention works.</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> This includes suggestions like unicameral legislature, revised role of Presiding Bishop, fewer meetings, smaller deputations, ad hoc task forces rather than standing commissions, much more work done electronically, etc. All interesting proposals to consider, all potentially useful. But they won't address the core of the problem. General Convention could operate more efficiently, but that won’t send out laborers into God’s harvest. It won’t cause our church to grow. It won’t bring the gospel to new generations. It won’t increase our acts of loving service to those in need. Not that we shouldn’t consider doing these things – we should. New times and new technologies call for new ways of meeting and making decisions, and in this day and age, we need to be much more flexible than an every-three-years meeting allows. But we should not mistake these changes for re-orienting ourselves toward mission. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We need to <u>plan</u> for how to achieve our mission, <u>then</u> make the structural changes to empower that mission.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Pass a budget resolution that requires a high percentage of revenues to be devoted to mission.</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> A feel-good resolution! Hurray! And I agree with it! That is, as long as I agree with how it defines “mission.” But wait, what are we going to do about the Manhattan office building known as 815 and its related debt service? What about canonically required work such as Title IV cases, as well as things that the churchwide office clearly should be doing such as ecumenical work, Anglican Communion relations and Federal Ministries? What about the role of the Church Center in empowering mission at the local level? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We would plunge the church into turmoil without a grown-up, serious plan for how to address these grown-up, serious issues. </i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';">Significantly lower the “asking” from the dioceses to allow more money to be used for local mission.</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"> Good idea. But – we need to adopt mission priorities at every level of the church, and we need to empower mission in the way that is most efficient for each level. We should not, say, throw out Christian Formation at the churchwide level without any plan for how the other levels are going to get that part of our mission done. Christian Formation is an absolutely vital component of our church’s mission, and we need to make sure it happens. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That means that we need to have a plan in place for how to empower this mission, and we need to have a transition time to get the new plan up and running before we just let the old plan go.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you see a common theme running through all these critiques? I do. We need a plan. We need a plan that brings in the voices of laypeople, deacons, priests and bishops. We need a plan that concentrates on particular ministry areas and particular administrative issues. We need a plan that points us toward change for the 21<sup>st</sup> century. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here is what I think such a plan should involve:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. A steering group of not more than 12 <b>complete outsiders</b> to church structures. By outsiders, I mean dedicated Episcopalians, entrepreneurial thinkers and doers, who are <b>not</b> involved in Church Center work or high-level churchwide politics or standing commissions. If you’re standing on the carpet, you can’t make the carpet fly. These need to be people who love the church, understand the mission, but are not personally invested in current structures. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. This steering group would have the power to appoint several blue-ribbon panels:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > A panel of real estate experts who would make recommendations about what to do about 815 (the building), including looking at options of selling it, leasing it, and other creative possibilities I don’t know about. In the hopes that something could be done about this behemoth before the next General Convention, we need to make sure that Executive Council has the power to act on any offers that might come in, and understands that the will of Convention is that we should divest ourselves of this building. There should be no more argument about this. We are not going to be a New York corporate hierarchical-model church any more. We are going to be a mission-focused church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > A group of investigators that looks at options for relocating the churchwide structure, including cost, accessibility to airports, closeness to important power structures for our church, and available resources. How about using vacant space at Washington National Cathedral? How about using vacant space at Seabury Western Seminary? And so on. (I cite those two examples having no idea whether they are practical ideas, but offering them as the kind of options we should be considering.) Again, Executive Council should be empowered to make a move on this recommendation as soon as 815 is disposed of. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > A panel of human resources and other experts who would look at the churchwide staff structure and recommend options for streamlining, outsourcing, and closing unnecessary offices. In addition, this panel would carefully delineate those functions – such as, say, ecumenical relations – that absolutely must be carried out by the churchwide office, and would recommend the staffing and other resources needed to carry out those functions. Executive Council should be empowered to make an immediate move. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > A panel of people who look at our churchwide governing structures and make recommendations for different ways of operating, including possibilities of reducing standing commissions, using more electronic meetings and communications, considering the size of deputations and frequency of meetings, etc. Constitutional changes would be required if any changes are made, so these recommendations would need to be considered by Convention. Bishop Sauls tells me that the Diocese of San Diego has put forth an interesting resolution (which I haven't seen) that would make this possible in 3 years rather than 6. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Now, back to the steering group. What are they doing? They are leading a <b>churchwide visioning process </b>that is based in Bible study, prayer, and deep discernment of where the Holy Spirit is leading people in their ministries. They are holding out the Anglican Marks of Mission as a reasonable summary of mission in our church, and they are training facilitators to lead a visioning process, gathering input from people in the church for how to achieve this mission. Why a churchwide visioning process? Because we need input from the grassroots levels of the church, guided by the Holy Spirit. Without broad-based input and buy-in at every level of the church, any proposals for change would not truly cause change. They would be defeated or sabotaged. This is the lesson of Rabbi Edwin Friedman's concept of homeostasis. Remember, it is a key part of this program that the visioning process be led by outsiders. Insiders to the structure of the church, however faithful and well-meaning we know they are, will be led to protect current structures. All change must be on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> a. The visioning process would be open to any group that wants to participate – interest groups around particular ministry areas, dioceses, provinces, local parishes, seminaries, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> b. Trained facilitators would lead the interest groups in a spiritually-focused discernment process that begins with significant, in-depth, inductive Bible study and prayer around mission-focused passages (with the caveat that no one Bible passage encompasses the full scope of God’s commission to us, so multiple passages must be considered). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> c. The visioning process would continue with a set of questions and exercises. The purpose would be to discern answers to how God is leading the group, and the wider church, to achieve its mission. What do we dream of? What do we hope for? Where are we now? What would it take to get where we want to be? What kind of support does the group need from diocesan, provincial, and churchwide structures? How much money, personnel, and physical structures will it require? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> d. The facilitators would bring reports back to the steering group, which would assimilate the feedback and undergo a similar visioning process of its own. The steering group would make a report to the wider church. That report would include recommendations for:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > The “panel of expert” recommendations, above.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > The best structure for mission in the defined Marks of Mission areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > Ways to flatten the current hierarchical structure so that the Church Center does not control, but rather empowers, ministry at all levels of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > <b>Criteria for funding ministry being done by local parishes, by dioceses, by provinces and by networks within the church.</b> A Mission Fund would be established, using a very high percentage of revenues collected from the dioceses and from the endowment, and empowered to give grants for ministry (carried out by local groups or churchwide independent networks) that meet carefully defined Marks of Mission criteria. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > A better budget process that would give the church time and leadership necessary to create a mission-focused budget, and would not demand that PB&F be the de facto determiner of all churchwide mission by its last-minute Convention decisions about what to fund or not to fund. Asking this of PB&F is not fair to them, or to the church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > A strategic fundraising plan, not the “how” of fundraising (which would be the work of a Development Office), but the “what for.” What are our strategic priorities? How much will they cost? How can we express them as a dream that others will want to participate in? The Development Office will need a menu of dreams to present to potential donors. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> > Possibly: recommendations for leadership training. How are we going to recruit, train, and equip the kind of young entrepreneurial leaders who will be needed for the new church we are creating? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Calisto MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This report would be available by summer 2014, and ready for the entire church to discuss and assimilate for a full year before General Convention 2015. In 2015, we vote – and may the best plan win. That is to say – God’s plan. Because we're on a mission from God. </span></span></div>Susan Brown Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.com4