| Resolution Number: | 2015-A084 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Modify the Parochial Report |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the Parochial Report be modified to include congregational activity in any of the five Marks of Mission; and be it further
Resolved, That each diocese be encouraged to establish a category for associated worshipping communities, which may not pay diocesan assessment according to rules established by the diocese, and which could include new church plants and worshipping communities whose design broadens the Church’s mission perspective; and be it further
Resolved, That such associated worshipping communities be encouraged to file a parochial report with their diocese; and be it further
Resolved, That the Parochial Report ask if the congregation has a primary weekly service other than Saturday/Sunday; and be it further
Resolved, That the Parochial Report be modified on page 2 to gather the average primary/Sunday worship; and be it further
Resolved, That a page be added to the Parochial Report to report areas of outreach ministry in which the congregation is involved with individual/group volunteer activity rather than merely reporting monetary support currently reported on page 3.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 368. |
|---|
Legislative History
| Author: | Standing Commission on the Mission and Evangelism of The Episcopal Church |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Congregational Vitality |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Congregational Vitality presented its Report #12 on Resolution A084 (Modify Parochial Report) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A084)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Parochial Report be modified to include reporting of congregational activity in all five Marks of Mission; and be it further
Resolved, That each diocese be encouraged to include in its canons a category for associated worshipping communities, which may or may not pay diocesan assessment according to rules established by the diocese, and which should include new church plants, worshipping communities whose design broadens the Church’s perspective and reach into mission, and Mission Enterprise Zone initiatives; and be it further
Resolved, That such associated worshipping communities file a parochial report each year reporting their membership, ministries, attendance, and financial data; and be it further
Resolved, That the main measure of weekly attendance at Episcopal congregations, including associated worshipping communities, shall be Average Weekly Attendance, defined as the sum of Average Sunday Attendance and Average Distinct Attendance, as defined below; and be it further
Resolved, That the Parochial Report be modified to include a category to report Average Distinct Attendance, defined as average per-week attendance at non-Sunday worship services, most of whose participants do not attend regular Sunday services, e.g., Episcopal school worship, worship services at retirement centers, house churches, and other such non-Sunday worship congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the Parochial Report be modified to report the names of lay leaders who are licensed under Title III, Canon 4.1.a, or who are otherwise recognized by the ecclesiastical authority, who have primary leadership responsibility for worshiping communities.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Parochial Report
be modified to include reporting of congregational activity in
allany of the five Marks of Mission; and be it
further
Resolved, That each diocese be encouraged to include in its
canonsto establish a category for associated worshipping
communities, which may or may not pay diocesan assessment
according to rules established by the diocese, and which
shouldcould include new church plants,
and worshipping communities whose design broadens the Church’s
mission perspective and reach into mission, and Mission
Enterprise Zone initiatives; and be it further
Resolved, That such associated worshipping communities be
encouraged to file a parochial report each year reporting their
membership, ministries, attendance, and financial datawith their
diocese; and be it further
Resolved, That the main measure of weekly attendance at
Episcopal congregations, including associated worshipping communities, shall be
Average Weekly Attendance, defined as the sum of Average Sunday Attendance and
Average Distinct Attendance, as defined below; and be it further
Resolved, That the Parochial Report be modified to include a
category to report Average Distinct Attendance, defined as average per-week
attendance at non-Sunday worship services, most of whose participants do not
attend regular Sunday services, e.g., Episcopal school worship, worship
services at retirement centers, house churches, and other such non-Sunday
worship congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the Parochial Report be modified to report the
names of lay leaders who are licensed under Title III, Canon 4.1.a, or who are
otherwise recognized by the ecclesiastical authority, who have primary
leadership responsibility for worshiping communities.
Resolved, that the Parochial Report ask if the congregation has a primary weekly service other than Saturday/Sunday; and be it further
Resolved, that the Parochial Report be modified on page 2 to gather the average primary/Sunday worship; and be it further
Resolved, that a page be added to the Parochial Report to report areas of outreach ministry in which the congregation is involved with individual/group volunteer activity rather than merely reporting monetary support currently reported on page 3.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #141)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Congregational Vitality presented its Report #8 on HD Message #141 on Resolution A084 (Modify Parochial Report) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #229)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 2.
| Report Reference: | Standing Commission on the Mission and Evangelism of the Episcopal Church, Reports to the 78th General Convention, 2015, pp. 429-436. |
|---|---|
| Source Document: | The House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church, Parochial Report Form Source Citation: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/parochial-report. Last accessed 9/27/2016. |
| Abstract: | The 78th General Convention modifies the Parochial Report to include worshiping communities not reported upon previously and to expand upon the extent of mission and ministry within congregations. |