$20.9 Millions Budget Set by Convention
Episcopal News Service. September 23, 1982 [82193]
NEW ORLEANS (DPS, Sept. 23) -- "We believe that the budgets are realistic in terms of the income we can expect from the dioceses," was the opening assurance at the joint session of the Houses of the 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting here.
It was presentation of a total apportionment budget for 1983 of $20.9 millions, which is 11.5 percent over the 1982 budget. The Program Development Budget -- legislators were assured -- has no program or line cuts designed to make room for any new program. Items have been reduced, some dramatically, and these were not explained nor did they ever become an issue in debate.
Included are some major increases; notably in supporting the role of the church as peacemaker. Originally proposals had requested $65 thousand for a Church Center staff position but the proposed line for fiscal 1983 is $150,000. This is the first year that this program has been funded.
The Sept. 11 hearing was followed by quick legislative action and the budget became reality by Sept. 14.
Jubilee Ministry, which was presented, heard, and received by both Houses is in the budget for a proposed $250 thousand for fiscal 1983. This would be largely for the purpose of clearing up confusion about the proposals for Jubilee. It was recommended that Jubilee become a part of the budget process and that time be given for development and clarification and, at "a time certain," this program "of great promise" be represented to Program, Budget and Finance for further action.
The proposal submitted to Convention by the metropolitan areas committee had sought $2 million in funds for actual programs under the Jubilee umbrella in 1983. In spite of the strong support from both bishops and deputies for the Jubilee principle, persons familiar with the budget process conceded from the beginning that it was unlikely the apportionment formula would be increased as radically as would have been needed to meet this new demand.
The Church's attitude toward budget making is reflected not only in the action on Jubilee, but in two other moves authorized by Convention. The first of these -- changing the budget title from "General Church Program" to "Program Development Budget" -- acknowledges that the funds sent to the national Church, little more than 3 percent of the total Church's assets, are best used to develop, nurture, and coordinate work in other areas. This, in effect, is what the Jubilee funding will be used for.
A second action gives approval to a plan developed by Presiding Bishop John M. Allin and the Executive Council called "The Next Step" that seeks greater parochial commitment to social ministries beyond the congregation and is based on thorough local analysis of the pastoral, educational, social, evangelical and liturgical situation.
The plan, about which Allin says, "I've never been so caught up in anything in my life," would couple such analysis with an effort to commit a parish to doubling its giving to social ministries, an effort which could produce up to $5 million a year to aid local, diocesan and national projects and agencies.
Lueta Bailey, chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance, closed the joint session, noting that the "bottom line of the Gospel has always been to respond... (we) move to act now with greater boldness... Christ is our bread" and from this there came the "budget button" motto passed out to visitors, deputies, and bishops -- "The Bottom Line Is Bread."
The funding of the Budget is largely from diocesan apportionments. From United States dioceses, $16.6 millions is being asked and from other sources such as trust funds. reserves, special gifts, and small prior balances, approximately $4.2 millions are anticipated.
That the budget makers feel the Church can respond at a level nearly $500,000 higher than that suggested by the Executive Council -- which develops the initial budget proposal in consultation with agencies and networks throughout the Church -- is due largely to a little-noted Council action, increasingly stable and solid diocesan commitment and a strengthening investment picture.
In February Council acted to shift a larger portion of the 1981 lapsed balance from a proposed reserve into the lapsed budget income item. This accounts for the $200,000 increase seen in that item.
Of strong significance to the budget is the fact that Council and Church finance officers have had 10 months to watch and hone the investment portfolio to the point where fiscal officers are now confident that the increase in these items is as secure as can be "barring total collapse of the national economy."
Perhaps the greatest factor in the income picture is the stable, predictable support from the dioceses. The Church is entering its second triennium on a revised apportionment schedule to which dioceses have been able to respond with ever-increasing confidence. In contrast, success of the schedule probably worked against the Jubilee request -- or any other that would seek a massive jump in this item -- but allows Church officers at parish, diocesan and national levels to operate on a secure footing.
Debate over the development budget was relatively brief in both Houses and focussed on efforts to reinstate Jubilee funding, all of which were turned back.
Approved at the same time was the "assessment" budget of nearly $3.8 million for the expenses of Convention, its agencies, and the office of the Presiding Bishop for the entire triennial period.