The Diocese of Northern Michigan has released a profile and called for nominations as it seeks an 11th bishop.
The profile repeatedly affirms mutual ministry as central to the diocese’s identity, and it identifies a recurring theme of loss and struggle, including financial stresses during the early 20th century and the death of the Rt. Rev. James A. Kelsey in an automobile accident in 2007.
The profile devotes an eight-page appendix to Kelsey’s last annual address as a bishop, which he delivered in October 2006. Another appendix is a nine-page essay, “Creating a Hospitable Environment for Mutual Ministry,” by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Ray, the diocese’s ninth bishop, and Kelsey. Ray is serving as an assisting bishop until the new bishop begins ministry.
If at first you don’t succeed, try again…..or something like that. It seems that you can knock Northern Michigan down, but not out. They had an awful 2003 through 2008 experience, losing 19 percent of Members, 28 percent of ASA, and 13 percent of Plate & Pledge adjusted for inflation. Only 10 dioceses (of 95) had a worst record. In 2008 there were 29 Infant Baptisms (about one per church) and 37 Burials. Also in 2008, 96 percent (26 of 27) of its churches had ASA of 70 or less and 16 of these had ASA of 20 or less. And in 2008, 100 percent (27 of 27) had Plate & Pledge of less than $150K and 11 of the 27 had Plate & Pledge of $10K or less. I wish them well but I fear that finding a talented new bishop may be more difficult than finding Big Foot. Statmann
Other than padding the number of revionist bishops in the HOB there is no cogent reason for having a diocese with a smaller ASA or overall membership than a good sized parish. There are two other dioceses in the same geographic area with more or less the same problem. Why not get together, find a common name, and have a single organization that might be able to support itself? And, yes, I realize that there problems associated with the distances involved however there are means of communication (ever try Skype or Go To Meetings ?) that don’t entail getting in a car and puttering down the road.
Might consider a merging of Eau Claire and Northern Michigan with Fond Du Lac. Looks a bit healthier with almost the same Infant Baptisms (184) as Burials (186) in 2008. Churches with ASA of 70 orr less would be 71 percent (68 of 96) and churches with Plate & Pledge of less than $150K would be 79 percent (76 of 96). Have only ONE Cathedral in Fond Du Lac and ceentralize ALL diocesan administration in Fond Du Lac. May save enough Money to have a Sufragan Bishop (with no staff) in the North country. Would TEC buy it? No. Statmann
On current thoughts here, a sizable trend right now is developing administrative centers for several small dioceses in a region (even across Province borders) without relinquishing diocesan identity, which CAN reduce budget expenditures for office staff. So TECUSA certainly could ‘buy’ something like that. But really, no one has to buy such except the diocesan conventions of each of the included dioceses.
It’s when it starts to include bishops of any stripe and the bounds of their ecclesiastical authority that General Convention might be involved (but not necessarily). Pulling two or three dioceses into one has its precedent. When General Convention does get involved by resolution, you’d find that the real obstructions would be the willingness of the diocese’s themselves.
On a different note, I’m sensing some new and wiser counsel that has been given greater latitude in Northern Michigan’s leadership. I give thanks to God for that. Perhaps the opportunity for a well-balanced submission of candidates for election will manifest itself. And God knows Northern Michigan will need someone full of wisdom and of the Holy Spirit. Who will arise? I encourage nominations of all sorts before their deadline hits. Anyone can.