Program, Budget and Finance statement affirms 19% asking

Posted Jul 7, 2012

[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] The following statement has been issued by the members of the Episcopal Church Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, on July 7 at the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

The Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance conducted its second hearing on Friday evening on funding the budget of The Episcopal Church and heard strong support for a 19% asking over the next triennium. The Committee also heard extensive testimony regarding the Development Office. Strong opinions both for and against were expressed. Program, Budget and Finance was impressed by stories offered about the work of the Development Office in supporting local mission.

Following the hearing, the Committee voted to craft its proposed budget based on a 19% asking for 2013-2015. Program, Budget and Finance continues to meet in Room 205 of the Indianapolis Convention Center. Its third hearing, on spending, will take place Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Indiana Ballroom of the Downtown Marriott hotel.

Diane Pollard, Diocese of New York, Chair of Program, Budget and Finance, and Bishop Stephen Lane, Diocese of Maine, Vice chair, on behalf of the members of Program, Budget and Finance.

July 7, 2012

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Comments (6)

  1. The. Rev. Kenneth L. Chumbley says:
    July 7, 2012 at 10:30 am

    I am concerned about the impact of the proposed mandated health insurance scheme upon congregations. In the case of my parish, with a budget in excess of $800,000, the new scheme, our treasurer estimates, will add more than $100,000 to our expenses. Have the proponents of this new scheme calculated the cost to congregations and dioceses, and not just the financial ones? What about staff and clergy layoffs, elimination of congregational ministries, reductions in assessment payments by parishes to dioceses? It used to be said of GM that it was a health insurance plan that made vehicles on the side. If this well-intentioned but fiscally imprudent legislation is passed by General Convention, then people might well say the Episcopal Church used to be a church whose mission was proclaiming the Gospel, but after July 2012 became a church whose mission was to be a health insurance plan that proclaimed the Gospel on the side.

  2. Lloyd Baxter says:
    July 7, 2012 at 11:50 am

    Rev. Chumbley has hit the nail on the head. The increased cost of health has to come from somewhere…. Maybe out of the contributions to the Church!!!

  3. Michael Harnois says:
    July 7, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    So working for the church should mean that you and your family go without health care.

    I don’t think so.

    Work hard for single-payer, and in the meantime, figure out how to do the right thing. I promise you, you’ll never be able to do the right thing for those on the outside if you’re not doing the right thing for those on the inside.

    1. Harry Stevens says:
      July 8, 2012 at 12:15 pm

      While I agree they need to provide these benefits there are few if any employers doing so for people that work only 1000 hours per year. This adds way too much to the cost of having even basic employees to keep up the needed functions like cleaning and admin.

  4. Lynn Marini says:
    July 8, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Amen.

  5. Lynn Marini says:
    July 8, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I meant to be in agreement with Harry Stevens’ comment. I don’t believe it is good stewardship or responsible not to take care of those who have the responsibility of not only the pastoral care but the administration of our congregations. I believe my rector puts in closer to 1800 hrs/yr in addition to emergencies. If we don’t not aid in her physical well being/health, her ministry will suffer.

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