With synod 2011 now just a few days away, this synod is shaping up to be one of lasting significance. The underlying issues have been brewing for some time and yes, involve money. Our diocese has two sources of funding. The first is called the ‘Diocesan Endowment’ (DE). With reduced funds after the GFC, we are still searching for a more sustainable funding model and scale of operations after annual funds available must be further reduced by 30% this coming year.
The second source of funding is called the ‘Endowment of the See’ (EOS). In simple terms, it is asset rich, but cashflow poor to the point where income is insufficient to cover the costs of the Archbishop and his office. The longer we wait before taking some kind of radical action, the worse the situation will be.
Previous synods have focussed on one or the other of these matters. This synod must look at both. And it is hard to look at these matters without atleast a consideration of reviewing the level of the Parish Cost Recovery levy.
These are important matters, and it would be inappropriate for us to consider them with anything less than the rigour we would consider anything else. They affect our ability, as a Diocese, to fund and resource ministry. Unwise decisions and thinking at this stage will have an impact somewhere in the future.
At the same time, it is not right to blow these issues out of all proportion. Our service of the Lord Jesus is founded on the teaching of the Word of God. Sure, resourcing can facilitate and provide opportunities to do so. However, as many start up church plants have demonstrated – funding is not the be all and end all. As an example, what is now called EV Church on the Central Coast started with little, less than 20 years ago, and is now one of the largest evangelical churches in the country. Many have come to know Jesus, and that is what we are about.
Scattered through the draft synod agenda (one of the beauties of synod is that the agenda can change) are the reclassification of several parishes. Generally speaking, this means good things are happening in the churches on the ground.
So, let’s have vigorous discussion. But at the same time let’s not forget where real the action is. Nor, what the real action is.
