The bishop gave his address. He made a distinction between leaders and managers. We need managers, but we also need the visionaries who can provide direction to the managers and others. Times are tough, these days, with a bad economy, violence in our streets and around the world, insufficient health care and political wrangling, etc. However, we as Christians and particularly as Rochester Diocese Episcopalians must work harder to address problems to the best of our ability.
Three resolutions were presented that were related to the bishop’s address. These would establish task forces to review the “apportionment” process that calculates parish giving to the diocese, the models of ministry for rural communities and the opportunity to “plant” new congregations in this diocese. These were discussed and passed.
Time was allotted for the groups at each table of 10 to discuss how we came to be Episcopalians and how we might reach out to others. A few groups summarized their discussions.
The Youth Advisory Report proposed a new structure for youth ministry, splitting the diocese into five parts. There was some discussion about the proposal to combine urban and suburban parishes, and the resolution passed.
The 2010 diocesan audit and budget were discussed. Parish apportionments will be discounted 10% from the formula calculation (compared to 15% for the 2009 budget). At last year’s convention, the shock of the economic downturn was fresh and unprecedented since WWII. The bishop’s address at this year’s convention called for renewed energy even in the face of continued trying times. 2010 spending is slightly higher than in 2009, and the delegates passed the budget.
For 2002 through 2008, this diocese has lost about 22 percent of Members, 20 percent of ASA, and 14 percent of Plate & Pledge in real (inflation adjusted) dollars. Using a composite of these data, I would rank Rochester at 83 out of 95 dioceses considered. Two other measures do not bode well for the future. About 78 percent (40 of 51) of its parishes had Plate & Pledge in 2008 of less than $150 thousand. The future for small budget churches is not good, although they do provide the bishop with a quiet life, given no funds for a palace coup. And in 2008 there were 153 Infant Baptisms and 190 Burials. My guess is that the future will be a repeat of the past. Statmann