Executive Council Weighs Proposals for Major Changes in the Church
Episcopal News Service. June 19, 2001 [2001-157]
James Solheim
(ENS) At its June 8-12 meeting in Salt Lake City, the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church listened to several proposals that could have long-term implications for the church.
High on the agenda were presentations on the budget process, the continuing commitment to anti-racism efforts, a possible move of the Church Center to the campus of the General Theological Seminary, a major evangelism effort to double church participation by 2020, and new tax status for Episcopal Relief and Development. But the council also endorsed guidelines for church use of government funds for social ministry, called for a moratorium on the death penalty, established a task force on ethics and the new genetics, urged the US government to address the issue of global warming, and condemned the continuing persecution of Christians in the Sudan.
Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold opened the meeting with some "ruminations," reporting that he had a "wonderfully rich" conversation at an annual meeting with theologians on the theme of mission; met with James Wolfenson, president of the World Bank, to discuss the role of the churches in fighting the AIDS epidemic in Africa; led an ecumenical delegation to meet with Secretary of State Colin Powell on the search for peace in the Middle East; consulted with Bishop Jane Dixon of the Diocese of Washington in efforts to resolve a conflict with a Maryland parish over the choice of a conservative rector; and publicly thanked retiring treasurer Steve Duggan "for restoring confidence in our financial procedures."
The Rev. George Werner, president of the House of Deputies, said that his travels have shown him a church that has "innovative, courageous and sensitive ministries."
Mission-driven budget
"We have spent years revising the budget process so that it is driven by the church's vision, based on who we are as a church in servant ministry," Duggan told council members during an open discussion for preparing the budget for the next General Convention. He argued that it is necessary to engage the whole church in a collaborative process so that members feel greater ownership. He introduced a resolution that proposed hiring a firm to conduct a survey of church members, asking them what mission priorities should drive budget considerations.
After council members expressed some confusion about the process, the administration and finance committee made a subsequent presentation to clarify the procedures. Bonnie Anderson of Michigan, chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, urged council members to "keep in mind the larger issues." She reminded them that council passes on their budget recommendations to her committee, which then holds hearings and is responsible for the budget that is finally presented to General Convention.
She said that it has been helpful to her committee when the church has embraced some broad guidelines and principles, based on mission imperatives.
"We are trying to connect with the church at every level, extending an invitation for fresh ideas," said Richard Miller of Southeast Florida, chair of the administration and finance committee. In urging the council to pass the resolution calling for the survey, he argued that "information-gathering can be used as a tool" in making budget decisions.
The council passed the resolution with one abstention.
To move or not to move
Dean Ward Ewing of the General Theological Seminary (GTS) in New York introduced a video presentation on proposals to move the offices of the Episcopal Church to the seminary campus, which he described as "an amazing oasis" and "one of the great treasures of the church."
Plans call for a state-of-the-art conference center carved out of a seminary building on the Tenth Avenue boundary of the campus with 60-70 hotel-style rooms. Another building on the Ninth Avenue boundary would be stripped to its steel superstructure and rebuilt into Church Center offices and seminary offices, sharing a common atrium entrance but separate lobbies, a bookstore and chapel on the street level.
Duggan shared what he called "new numbers," although the financial feasibility will be part of a final proposal to council at its October meeting. The current Church Center on Second Avenue has been appraised at $42-48 million, he said, while the new Church Center would cost an estimated $38 million and the conference center about $15.5 million. With an estimated occupancy rate of over 70 percent, the conference center could create an average net yearly income of $775,000, according to the presentation.
While some council members expressed enthusiasm, others were more cautious, waiting for final figures and expressing concern for the timing of the decision. Bishop Catherine Roskam of New York, who wears two hats as a member of the seminary board and Executive Council, said that she is excited by the possibilities. "So far the figures look good," she said, adding that for her "it is not an issue of relocation but one of stewardship."
A strategic plan
About 40 dioceses of the church have established strategic plans for growth, most of them variations on a plan developed by the Diocese of Texas, but it is time to develop a strategic plan for the whole church, Ted Mollegen of Connecticut told council members in his report on the 20/20 Task Force, established by the Denver Convention to build membership and participation.
The task force has developed eight components that seek "to transform congregations from a maintenance to a mission mindset," he added, overcoming the "denial that we are in decline and a fear of doing something new." The task force hopes to post its report at the end of August, inviting reactions.
The goal is not a numerical one but one of discipleship, attempting to double the active, worshiping community, according to the Rev. Kevin Martin, congregational development officer in the Diocese of Texas. The task force is challenging the church to develop a national strategy for church planting because most dioceses do not have sufficient resources. Griswold said that the change in focus represents a "significant evolution" in understanding the challenge to grow.
"Unity on this issue is growing wonderfully," said George Werner during the discussion. He noted that, when the task force completes its work and presents its report at the October council meeting, the effort moves into a new phase with an additional $200,000 budget provided by General Convention.
ERD seeks expanded role
The board for Episcopal Relief and Development has unanimously endorsed seeking 501c3 status by next January, giving it an autonomy that would enhance its ability to raise funds from individuals, corporations and foundations now prevented from supporting agencies directly tied to churches. The change needs the approval of the council at its fall meeting.
Bishop Robert Tharp, who chairs the ERD board, described the "unbelievable potential" of such a move, one that would require "more oversight and accountability" by the board whose major responsibility in the past has been approving grants.
While the change in tax status will give ERD more autonomy and freedom in seeking funds, it will be important to "remain in sync with the donor base--which is the church," said Sandra Swan, executive director of ERD. She and Tharp assured council members that ERD would remain an integral part of the church.
On another issue related to funding, the council adopted a set of guidelines for churches that receive public funding for faith-based social service programs prepared by the church's Washington Office on Government Relations. President George W. Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has stirred controversy in the religious community, much of it based on fears that the programs would "proselytize" or give preference to employees based on their religion.
"This position balances the increasing need for social services with fairness and accountability in the use of public dollars," said Tom Hart, director of the office. Griswold said that receiving public funds "is nothing new to the Episcopal Church," adding that he was "pleased that the questions around this issue have brought serving the needs of others to our public discourse."
'Spirit of mutual respect'
In other action, the council heard a report from the task group appointed to implement a resolution (AO45) of General Convention regarding women in the priesthood.
"The committee is contacting the bishops of San Joaquin, Quincy and Fort Worth, inviting each of them to meet with a three-member team from the committee at locations near but not in the respective diocese. Each bishop is asked to bring with him the president of the Standing Committee, the chair of the Commission on Ministry, and one or two other diocesan officers of the bishops' choice" to discuss implementing the canon," according to a statement from the committee to the council.
The committee hopes that the three initial meetings can happen by November 1 so that it can send teams "to meet with representative clergy and laity of the three dioceses to learn more about the life of each of the dioceses. The committee expects to work in a spirit of mutual respect as it seeks to learn more about the three dioceses and to move towards implementation of the canons."
After attending Sunday Eucharist at the cathedral, council members met with Utah diocesan leaders to learn more about its ministries. Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish said that the diocese, while one of the smaller in the church and a minority in a state dominated by Mormons, is "incredibly diverse." As a result of the recent sale of a hospital owned by the diocese, the debts of the parishes have been paid off and new ministries are being planned.
Testimonies from a group of young people whose lives are being changed by a youth project in Ogden sponsored by the diocese were warmly embraced by council members. Several of them made a direct connection between the comments from the youth and attempts to double church participation through the 20/20 effort.