“Crusty Old Dean” Tom Ferguson says the presiding bishop’s budget proposal, released today, “stands the old budget on its head, and redefines it in terms of the marks of mission. This is something COD has been arguing for all along: if we really, truly are going to shape our budget around these understandings of the marks of mission, then let’s actually do it. T
his gives a sense of coherence to this budget, sorely lacking in the previous version.” Of course that’s not all he has to say. Read more here.
The Rev. Susan Brown Snook says “there are some terrific new proposals here. Just one example: $2 million in grant funding for new church planting. Friends, we have been needing to do this for years.” Read more.
And the Rev. Scott Gunn writes:
I haven’t had a chance to scrutinize every line, but this one looks like something I can get excited about.
* It massively increases mission funding.
* It provides money to (*gasp*) plant churches.
* It increases our investment with our overseas partners.
* It increases funding for work (advocacy and service) to alleviate domestic poverty.
* The Five Marks of Mission now compose over 60% of the budget.
* Oh, and it cuts 13ish positions from the Church Center staff, with only one department seeing an increase: the office of the President of the House of Deputies.