Yesterday the deadline of Thursday at 6:00 seems to have helped everyone move faster. Both Houses made some important decisions.
It's a tradition that about a week into Convention, the bishops go and meet with the deputies to receive the budget, and we did yesterday. What was different this year is that the Program, Budget and Finance had to work so hard. They came to Convention without one budget to work from. This is a sign of the confusion about structure in the Church. They were able to produce a balanced budget that prioritizes program and mission. They restored funds for Christian Formation. They funded some very creative projects for local initiatives: enterprise zones, Campus Ministry Grants, New Congregations, etc. They funded a development officer; restored funding for the Board of Examining Chaplains (GOE's). They also indicated that the Episcopal Church Center will lose 10% of its staff (@12 positions).
The Bishops confirmed the deputies' resolution to "decline to take a position" on the Anglican Covenant. We did not want to say "no" or "yes." The Covenant has been defeated by The Church of England, The Episcopal Church in Scotland, and the Anglican Province of New Zealand. There is little need for us to have winners and losers on an issue that isn't going anywhere.
The bishops amended the motion to sell The Episcopal Church Center. We affirmed the need to move out of NYC, but did not direct the Church to sell the property because that may not be a wise financial decision. Owning an office building three blocks from the UN is probably not such a bad thing. My sense is that most people are eager for a sign the Church is changing. Selling 815 2nd Ave. would be an exciting symbolic act, but I don't think it'd be a prudent act.
In many ways that's the task at hand. We don't want to duplicate the French Revolution but nor do we want merely to move the deck chairs. We need to get to the foundations.
I remember Cynthia Bourgeault saying that with a sailboat it's not enough to have a sail that catches the wind of the moment. Nor is it enough the have a keel that keeps you on a straight course. Actually if you only have these two, then your boat will go in circles. You need a rudder.
Instead of arguing that it's a revolution or that we've never done it that way, we need a clear sense of mission. Then we can lay the foundations stone by stone. The Five Marks of Mission are a starting place, but I don't think they are complete.
Today the bishops take up structure and return to our work on changing the diocesan assessment from 19% to 15%.
I can say the work is long but for me it's good work. The bishops are able to stay out of the parliamentary games and maneuvers and talk person to person simply because there are fewer of us and we know each other.
Keep us in your prayers.
+Porter
