The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention create a church-wide network for planting congregations, training and recruiting planters; and establishing new congregations each triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That the budget for creating this congregational network will be $5,000,000 to be allocated as follows:

$200,000 to identify and support existing programs to produce training in planting congregations for clergy and lay leaders

$600,000 to provide resources for planters of congregations

$1,000,000 for the development and implementation of a program to train bilingual/bi-cultural lay and ordained leaders for Latino/Hispanic ministries

$500,000 to support a staff person to oversee the planting network

$2,700,000 for grants to support up to 30 congregations with the size and grant depending on the context and need of the congregation; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention encourages the Episcopal Church Development Office to prioritize raising $5 million per triennium to plant new congregations, with the hope that a network of interested donors will be developed; and be it further

Resolved, That Dioceses receiving money for planting new congregations under this program will contribute a minimum of 20% of the costs of any new plants; and be it further

Resolved, the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies appoint an advisory group of not more than twelve people, consisting of those with experience in planting congregations, diocesan oversight of such work, and academics working with evangelism and mission, to carry out provisions of this resolution, including developing criteria for receiving grants, providing a reporting process, making recommendations to Executive Council about grants to be awarded, helping to identify potential planters, and developing a network of coaches and internship sites; and be it further

Resolved, That the Communications Office be directed to make a priority of reporting on the stories of plants of new congregations on an ongoing basis through news media, video, and other means, and through developing a website that provides detailed information about the various planting initiatives happening throughout the church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance consider a budget allocation of $5,000,000 for the implementation of this resolution.