The liveliest discussion during the opening session of the Episcopal Church\u2019s Executive Council June 10-12 meeting here surrounded how much money the General Convention ought to ask dioceses to contribute to the church-wide budget \u201d\u201c and what should be done about dioceses that do not pay the full amount.<\/p>\n
The discussion took the form of an informal poll of council members by Diocese of Ohio Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, chair of council\u2019s Joint Standing Committee on Finances for Mission. FFM, as the committee is known, is in the process of helping to shape the draft 2016-2019 budget that council must construct by February 2015. Hollingsworth gave each council member 30 seconds to share what they are hearing around the church about the budget-funding process, and what they think ought to be done.<\/p>\n
In the 2013-2015 triennium, dioceses are asked to contribute 19 percent of their annual income to help fund the church-wide budget. Each year\u2019s annual giving in the three-year budget is based on a diocese\u2019s income two years earlier, minus $120,000.<\/p>\n