The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #54 on Resolution A001 (Restructure for Spiritual Encounter) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A001)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention urge Episcopal seminaries to work collectively in creating, nurturing, and developing a culture of collaboration among them that results in: new structures; new curricula; new degrees beyond the traditional MDiv; partnerships and practices on the academic, departmental, and inter-seminary levels; tangible, measurable evidence that seminary trained leaders (lay and ordained) have the spiritual formation, skill sets, and intellectual aptitude to engage the world and to transform and lead The Episcopal Church, looking beyond competency in the academic areas defined by canon; standards of accountability, reporting, and mutual ministry reviews at all levels; and Episcopal seminaries’ reportage of their progress to Executive Council and to each succeeding General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That Diocesan Councils and Commissions on Ministry, in collaboration with their Bishop, encourage and support diverse ways for ordained clergy to make a living inside and outside the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council study the issue of clergy compensation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Trustees of the Church Pension Fund study the following and report to the 79th General Convention: the current pension offerings and how well they serve the Church; the incentives in the current pension system; pension plan opportunities available to Episcopal clergy working in the secular world who are providing non-stipendiary service to The Episcopal Church; compensation models and pension benefits that may not be adequate or may be just in certain areas of the Church, particularly in dioceses outside the U.S.; and be it further

Resolved, That the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society develop a network to help Episcopal congregations, including clergy, vestry, organist, musical, lay, and other liturgical leaders, to become skilled in creating, nurturing, and developing spaces and moments for spiritual encounters that transform lives and unjust structures; and to have partnerships and practices with other congregations to become excellent stewards of spiritual, financial, real estate, and community resources; and to report their progress and learning annually to their Diocesan Convention/Council and Bishop.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention urge Episcopal seminaries and the General Board of Examining Chaplains to work collectively in creating, nurturing, and developing a culture of collaboration among them that results in: new structures; new curricula; new degrees beyond the traditional MDiv; partnerships and practices on the academic, departmental, and inter-seminary levels; alternative assessment instruments to provide tangible, measurable evidence that seminary trained leaders (lay and ordained) have the spiritual formation, skill sets, and intellectual aptitude to engage the world and to transform and lead The Episcopal Church, looking beyond competency in the academic areas defined by canon; standards of accountability, reporting, and mutual ministry reviews at all levels; and Episcopal seminaries’ reportage of their progress to Executive Council and to each succeeding General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That Diocesan Councils and Commissions on Ministry, in collaboration with their Bishop, encourage and support diverse ways for ordained clergy to make a living inside and outside the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council study the issue of clergy compensation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Trustees of the Church Pension Fund study the following and report to the 79th General Convention: the current pension offerings and how well they serve the Church; the incentives in the current pension system; pension plan opportunities available to Episcopal clergy working in the secular world who are providing non-stipendiary service to The Episcopal Church; compensation models and pension benefits that may not be adequate or may be just in certain areas of the Church, particularly in dioceses outside the U.S.; and be it further

Resolved, That the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society develop a network to help Episcopal congregations, including clergy, vestry, organist, musical, lay, and other liturgical leaders, to become skilled in creating, nurturing, and developing spaces and moments for spiritual encounters that transform lives and unjust structures; and to have partnerships and practices with other congregations to become excellent stewards of spiritual, financial, real estate, and community resources; and to report their progress and learning annually to their Diocesan Convention/Council and Bishop.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #349)