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Resolution Number: 1976-A084
Title: Commend a Plan for the Financial Support of Theological Education
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That in accordance with a recommendation of the Episcopal Study Committee on Preparation for the Ordained Ministry, which recommendation was endorsed by the Executive Council, the General Convention commend to the Church a plan for the substantial, broad-based financial support of theological education by:

  1. Requesting the Presiding Bishop continue to designate one Sunday per year as Theological Education Sunday, to be observed at that time or some other appropriate day by all parishes and missions.
  2. Urging each parish and mission to set a specific, significant goal for annual financial support of theological education, and commending as a figure for such a goal 1 1/2 percent of Net Disposable Budget Income (Item 51-56 of the Parochial Report Form less "Diocesan Support," item 54).
  3. Vigorously promoting the program through the mutual efforts of the Presiding Bishop, the President of the House of Deputies, the Board for Theological Education, and the deans of the seminaries, with the assistance of the Development Officer of the Executive Council.
  4. Urging all parishes and missions to collect their funds by budgeted items, special offerings and individual gifts, and to decide the allocation of these offerings to one or more seminaries and/or diocesan programs of preparation for ordination.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis 1976 (New York: General Convention, 1977), p. C-116.

Legislative History

Author: The Board for Theological Education
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Education

House of Deputies

On the Tenth Day, Deputy Green (Southern Virginia) presented Report #10 of the Committee on Education on Resolutions A-84 and B-240, and moved the following resolution:

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, that in accordance with a recommendation of the Episcopal Study Committee on Preparation for the Ordained Ministry, which recommendation was endorsed by the Executive Council, the General Convention commend to the Church a plan for the substantial, broad-based financial support of theological education by

  1. Requesting the Presiding Bishop continue to designate one Sunday per year as Theological Education Sunday, to be observed at that time or some other appropriate day by all parishes and missions.
  2. Urging each parish and mission to set a specific, significant goal for annual financial support of theological education, and commending as a figure for such a goal 1 1/2 percent of Net Disposable Budget Income (Item 51-56 of the Parochial Report Form less "Diocesan Support," item 54).
  3. Vigorously promoting the program through the mutual efforts of the Presiding Bishop, the President of the House of Deputies, the Board for Theological Education, and the deans of the seminaries, with the assistance of the Development Officer of the Executive Council.
  4. Urging all parishes and missions to collect their funds by budgeted items, special offerings and individual gifts, and to decide the allocation of these offerings to one or more seminaries and/or diocesan programs of preparation for ordination.

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #154)

House of Bishops

On the Eleventh Day, the Secretary read Message #154 from the House of Deputies (A-84).

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #206)

Report Reference:   Board for Theological Education, Reports to the 65th General Convention, 1976, pp. AA-162-AA-193.
Abstract:   The 65th General Convention commends to the Church a plan for the substantial, broad-based financial support of theological education.
Notes:  

The legislative history of resolution 1976-A084 suggests that resolutions 1976-A084 and 1976-B240 were combined by the originating committee. The House of Bishops' message on the eleventh legislative day acknowledged A084 as the concurred resolution number. The effect of this action was to withdraw resolution B240 from further consideration.