C019 Adjusting Diocesan Assessments to the Wider Church
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That the 81st General Convention approves an assessment formula (Canon I.4.6.b) for the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027 based on a single assessment of each diocese. In each year, 2025-2027, the diocesan total adjusted operating income, as reported in the annual diocesan financial report (Canon I.4.6.i and Canon I.6.4) for the two years prior to the year to which the assessment is applied [e.g., 2025 assessments are to be based on 2023-2024 actual income figures], shall be reduced by a $200,000 exemption. A single assessment shall be applied to the remaining amount (balance) at a flat rate of 13.5%; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2025-2027 Episcopal Church budget shall be adjusted and managed as set forth in the Canons, Rules of Order, and Executive Council policies and procedures; and be it further
Resolved, that the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church asks Executive Council to set a plan for lowering the diocesan assessment to 10% by 2030.
Explanation
We believe in the abundance of God, and celebrate the importance of our shared ministry with one another in Christ’s Church, we believe now more than ever, it is crucial to keep more resources within the local parishes so that ministry can thrive on the congregational and diocesan level.
In our post-COVID and ever-changing world, more and more congregations’ budgets are feeling the strains of ministry – from building maintenance to appropriate ministry staff to rising healthcare costs.
The 193rd Convention of the Diocese of Alabama, joining in solidarity with other dioceses, submits this resolution to the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church and encourages all other dioceses to endorse this or similar resolutions at upcoming Diocesan Conventions and Councils in advance of the 2024 General Convention.