The eCrozier

As most of you know, there is a proposed canonical change that will be debated and voted on at our February 2011 Diocesan Convention in Valdosta. Each of our Convocation Deans should have shared the text of the proposed canon with all clerical and lay delegates by now. If for some reason you do not have a copy, please feel free to contact Canon Willoughby (mwilloughby@gaepiscopal.org) and she will get you one. I believe this proposed canonical change is a good one. It simplifies expectations for diocesan funding by making those expectations fair and true to our biblical understanding and practice of the tithe. I hope this proposed change will be vigorously discussed at the Convocation Council meetings this fall as well as on the floor of convention when it is introduced.

By now all our congregations should have received their asking letter for 2011 from the Diocesan office. For some, the asking letter may produce questions. I asked Canon Willoughby to send the letter with the asking based on the current, approved formula. I did this so we would treat everyone the same based on the current formula approved by the Diocese in 2005. I’m aware that in the past some congregations received permission to adopt their own formula for calculating their annual support to the Diocese. I don’t wish to revoke any prior agreements nor do I want any congregation to be unduly burdened by what they are asked to give in support to the Diocese. That being said, it’s important that all our congregations know what the current, accepted, and approved expectations are and to respond faithfully and appropriately.

With all the above under consideration, I hope each congregation will review their current level of support of the Diocese’s mission and ministry. If you are meeting your asking, then thanks be to God. If you are not, then I hope you will look at where your current giving is and make a good faith effort to move toward giving at least 10% in support of the Diocese. This is no more or less than what we expect of households in each of our congregations. We love and accept people where they are and we invite them to go prayerfully deeper in their faithfulness and support of Christ’s Church.

As I have traveled around the Diocese, many of you have shared with me your frustration concerning a lack of transparency in the Diocesan budget. I have been told it was not clear to many people how Diocesan funds were being spent. While I can’t speak to the past, I can speak about the present and future. As you can see in the proposed annotated budget (see both attachments), every line item is explained and well accounted. We’ve cut administrative expenses and we’ve increased mission funding inside the Diocese. I believe we’re being the best possible stewards of the resources congregations are making available to us for the Diocese’s mission and ministry. I also know that developing trust takes time.  It should be earned and not merely granted. My commitment to the Diocese of Georgia is that my staff and I will work tirelessly with you for that trust.

+Scott

Attachment 1: DiocesanBudget2011Proposed.xls

Attachment 2: Annotationsonthe2011DioceseofGeorgiaBudget.doc