Draft report encourages Episcopalians to re-evaluate mission
Episcopal News Service. June 30, 2009 [063009-02]
Lynette Wilson
The Episcopal Church Center staff issued a 27-page draft report on world mission June 26 in response to two questions posed by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori:
- What is the primary motivation for global mission?
- How do we practice global mission strategically in the 21st century?
"They are questions that continue to engage us," said Jefferts Schori in an interview when asked if the draft report adequately answered the questions. "This is a good beginning and meant to stimulate greater discussion."
The draft report includes a brief history of Episcopal global mission, estimated 2008 international mission expenditure figures ($22.9 million), the 2009 projected budget for international mission and geographic breakdowns of where the money is spent.
The $24 million projected 2009 budget for Episcopal International Mission, which includes all mission work outside the United State, is broken down by area: Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) (60.6 percent), Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS) (33.3 percent) and United Thank Offering (6.1 percent).
The draft report can be used by the 76th General Convention, scheduled to meet in Anaheim, California, July 8-17, to explain the role of missionaries, covenant partnerships and the balance in funding differences, she said.
For instance, ERD spends most of its budget in Africa, the majority of it in development work, whereas the DFMS concentrates its efforts in Latin America, Jefferts Schori said.
She also offered some historical perspective: in 1950, 40 percent of the DFMS funding went toward international mission. In 1995 it was 25 percent and today it is 16 percent.
"Today the Anglican Communion Office gets a much bigger chunk …" Jefferts Schori said.
The draft report also breaks down the amount of money spent in 2008 on covenant ($938,347) and non-covenant ($6,428,956) relationships.
One of the goals in mission work is a shift toward autonomy and self-sufficiency; as covenant partners become independent, that leaves money for developing other relationships, Jefferts Schori added.
In its conclusion, the draft report asks 30 questions, including:
- Who decides where mission funding goes?
- Is mission funding needs-based or relationship-based?
- How do we really open ourselves to learn from the rich teachings of our global partners?
- How do we effectively communicate the interplay of interdependence and financial independence?
- How do we support local indigenous leadership today with a focus on self-sustaining, autonomous relationships?
"Mission theology has changed and parts of the church are well aware of that. We are not in a colonial model--it's no longer 'we have the goods and you will receive them.' It's a partnership--we have gifts to offer and something to receive," said Jefferts Schori, addressing the last two questions. "Mission partnerships expect a mutual relationship. It's not just about sending money."