Accomplishments from the 1968 Church Budget Expenditures
Diocesan Press Service. December 30, 1968 [72-14]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The year 1968 saw the Episcopal Church expend $14,400,500 to carry out its national and international program. Where did the money go? And what did it accomplish?
With so much attention being paid to the domestic and urban programs of the Church, it may come as a surprise that $6,232,604 of the 1968 Church budget went to support American missionaries and nationals working in Central America, South America, Asia and Africa. This included the support of medical and educational services, leadership training, construction and a wide variety of experimental programs to foster economic and social development throughout the world.
The remainder of the budget made it possible for the Executive Council staff to provide material resources and services to 81 Dioceses and six missionary districts of the Episcopal Church; to engage in or support experimentation in new forms of ministry, new ways of organization, and new methods of communication, and to evaluate and to share in the results; to aid indigenous organizations of the poor, and to recruit, train and support leadership for the Church.
Mission -- $6,232,604
Through the Deputy for Overseas Relations, the Executive Council recruits and trains missionaries for both overseas missionary districts of the Episcopal Church and other Provinces of the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part.
There are 267 missionaries in the field. Many of them are now functioning in a manner quite different from the missionary of the last century, or of the last decade.
They go abroad to accomplish a specific job and then return, leaving the local Church able to carry on the work. A missionary is now at St. Luke's Hospital, Manila, for example, providing clinical training to Filipino clergy similar to that received by American seminarians. When the missionary leaves, the Philippine Church will be better able to provide its own chaplains for its own hospitals.
Financial support is also provided to local Churches for their own programs, particularly where there are now projects to undertake.
In all of its work the staff of the Deputy for Overseas Relations is trying to help create strong local Churches, capable of fully supporting their own programs.
To Dioceses -- $1,897,531
At home, the Executive Council seeks to assist Dioceses and missionary districts to meet their responsibility for mission and ministry. If a Diocese wants to reorganize its structure, or begin a self-supporting non-stipendiary priesthood, the Council staff will provide information and consultants.
It provides teaching materials for children, youth and adults. Research and statistical studies are also conducted with the help of computers to provide the factual information necessary to plan for the future. Also receiving assistance, through special grants, are new and experimental ministries such as the work among the deaf in the Diocese of Los Angeles or the work of the American Indian Conference in Sioux City.
The above work, largely carried out through the section for Service to Dioceses, will account for expenditures of $1,897,531 during 1968.
Clergy/Lay Training -- $650,982
Another function of the Executive Council is to provide competent leadership, both clergy and lay, through the section for Professional Leadership Development. Increasing the effectiveness of seminary training is one of the goals of the program. Experimental programs, such as internships in New York City agencies or workshops in inter-personal relationships are also supported financially.
Ecumenical educational programs, such as the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Calif., provide opportunities that no one denominational seminary can provide alone. Summer training programs are also a part of the overall program of the section.
For those already in the priesthood continuing education is needed. Like any other professional, the clergyman must keep up with the latest developments, not only in theology but in community development, psychology and counselling techniques.
Clergy have varied talents and should be placed so that these talents are used. This is not always the case, and a study of clergy deployment is now being conducted. The cost for this total program came to $650,982.
GCSP -- $764,984
A part of the Church's job is to help man to realize his full potential as a person. On the national level this is being supported through the General Convention Special Program. Grants have been made through the Screening and Review Committee and with the approval of the Executive Council.
In addition to funding projects to combat the problems of poverty and race, the GCSP also provides consultative services to community organizations, helps them to set up programs and provides information on places where financial support might be available. The budget for this program in 1968 was $764,984.
Specialized Service -- $1,731,011
Helping the Episcopal Church in its attempts to meet the future, and to provide services to persons with special needs is the section for Experimental and Specialized Services. With a budget of $1,731, 011 for 1968, this program concerns itself with helping Dioceses and parishes determine the special requirements of their communities and with helping them to meet those needs. These included such problems as those of migrant workers, minority groups, young people and the elderly.
Information on current public issues, both national and international, is made available under the program to the whole Church.
Ecumenism -- $433,933
The Ecumenical Office, with a budget of $433, 933, aids the Episcopal Church in its relationships with other communions. This can mean engaging in official discussions, such as those now going on with the Roman Catholic Church, or participating in the Consultation on Church Union. Close relations are maintained with such organizations as the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.
Information on ecumenical relationships at the local level is gathered and shared with the whole Church.
Armed Forces -- $263,245
The Bishop for the Armed Forces recruits, screens and endorses chaplains to the Armed Forces. His office also trains layreaders in the military. On the civilian side, this office aids the local parish and Diocese in its pastoral ministry to service-men and women, and to their families, and to the young man facing military service, as well as the returning veteran. This work is carried out at a cost of $263, 245.
Financial Services -- $288,952
Financial services are provided to the Executive Council staff itself, and to Dioceses and missionary districts at a cost of $288,952. Budgeting for the Council and investment of trust funds are additional functions. Consultations are provided and training given to those responsible for finances in Dioceses and parishes.
Communication -- $535,205
Communication services are provided at a cost of $535, 205. Information on the Executive Council and the national program is disseminated through press, radio and television, and audio-visual resources. Consultations are provided to staff and to Dioceses and missionary districts.
The remainder of the Executive Council budget goes for administrative expenses, such as the personnel office, the letter shop, shipping room, maintenance work, operational costs, and to support the office of the Presiding Bishop, the Office of the Secretary and the Staff Program Group.