Almost 3 years ago, our world was hit with the Global Financial Crisis. In the following year we were forced to grapple with the reality of reduced investment income (from the Diocesan endowment) to fund the work and infrastructure of the Diocese. The reduction was in the order of 40%, and the Regional Grants, theoretically used to seed fund selected ministry programs, were one of the primary casualties.

Over the next 12 months, similar issues came to light in regard to the Endowment of the See (EOS). The EOS, in essence, funds the Archbishop, bishops and their offices. That was all debated at Synod last year, and it agreed to a one year levy on parishes to buy time to work out a comprehensive ‘re-balancing’. This year some difficult decisions will need to be made.

Also this year a further round of spending cuts are needed with regard to the Diocesan Endowment.  Expenditure must be reduced by something like 30% of its current level (or about 17% of its previous level). It is hard to imagine the complexity involved for those ‘in the chair’. Certainly they need our prayers in this process.

Inevitably the process must involve a re-consideration of priorities. Over time inefficiencies develop with any organisation. But a point comes when it is impossible to keep doing everything that one has become accustomed to doing when belts must be tightened to this kind of degree. Indeed, we experienced this a few years ago with the near removal of Diocese grants for start up ministries.

This time it will be impossible for us to maintain all that we do. And the question which is pertinent to open up at this time is this: what must we stop? Under the current circumstances, it is not possible to reduce everyone’s funding by the 30%. Some things will need to be stopped.

What should these things be? Some examples (in no particular order) include the Year 13 program, aspects of Anglicare’s work, a new library at Moore College, our web presence via sydneyanglicans.net, aspects or all of the training of ministers as they start (Ministry Training and Development), Youthworks College, New Churches, our support of work beyond Sydney, Safe Ministry training, promotion of women’s ministry, part time study at Moore College, aspects of the administrative support SDS provides, synod, and the list goes on.

It is difficult to appreciate the significance of activities from which one does not directly benefit. But that is precisely what we must do. What would you maintain, and what would you not?

And why?