Synod is on the verge of approving in full the proposed new strategic funding plan as previously outlined in Southern Cross and Sydneyanglicans.net
The big winner is the Archbishop’s plan for the Diocese to be split into about 20 new Mission Areas each led by a local parish minister. The plan will receive half a million dollars in funding next year despite the average 50 percent cuts across the board and the 90 percent cut to Regional Councils.
The only amendment to the Allocations Ordinance that was approved was a suggestion by Heather Kelly from the parish of Ashfield, Haberfield and Five Dock to broaden the $300,000 allocation for "Training Mission Leaders" to training for "Mission Areas". The amendment may open up the possibility that lay people are included in any training as part of the radical new structure and not just the clergy mission leaders.
One concern raised during debate was that the new Mission Areas do not include lay people in the strategic decision making process, as had Regional Councils in the past.
However an attempt by the Rev Robert Denham to fund the Mission Areas under the oversight of the existing Regional Councils was defeated on voices.
Synod also rejected the Rev Bob Cameron's argument that there "was a moral obligation" to honour the existing parish grant commitments made by regional councils.
All other attempts to tweak the $7million annual budget were likewise defeated. This included Mrs Lyn Bannerman's attempt to give a token $4,000 to the NSW Ecumenical Council whose direct funding from Sydney Diocese was cut from the budget, as well as two separate attempts to reduce cutbacks to the "Ministry outside the Diocese" line item.
The budget will be formally adopted when Synod meets again next Monday.
