* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:B018
Title:Stewardship of Resources
Topic:Budget
Committee:17 - Stewardship and Development
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:The Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Joint Committee on Program, Budget and Finance is requested to present a Budget to the General Convention that reduces the expenses for interim meetings of all Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards by one-half for the Triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That funding for domestic and foreign missionary projects, including the Millennium Development Goals be directly increased by a dollar amount equal to that by which the expenses for interim meetings of Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards is decreased; and be it further

Resolved, That the Budgetary Funding Task Force is requested to consider ways in which the direct funding of mission be the priority in future budgets of The Episcopal Church and report to the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.


EXPLANATION

The Executive Council's draft budget for the 2010-2012 triennium reflects decreased mission funding and increased funding for meetings, which the Presiding Bishop has reminded us is a sign of a dying institution. We believe that the people of our Church are open-hearted and generous givers and will respond enthusiastically to funding the Church's mission out of faithfulness to God's call to share in the ministry of Jesus to proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and the Lord's favor (Lk. 4:18-19). Using the gifts of the people of our Church, particularly in times of economic distress to fund meetings rather than mission is not faithful stewardship, is counterproductive to our purposes, and represents poor leadership of the people we are committed to serve.

* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.