wfn.org | Statement concerning 20/20

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2001-339

Statement concerning 20/20 

by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and 
Evangelism

     At its fall 2001 meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, the Executive Council of 
the Episcopal Church received a report from the 20/20 Task Force, mandated by 
General Convention at its 2000 triennial meeting. After extensive discussion of 
the report, the Council resolved to give responsibility for continuing work on 
20/20 to the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism. Council also 
asked the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies "to appoint 
up to ten new members to the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and 
Evangelism in order to represent the fullness and diversity of the Episcopal 
Church and that these new appointees be women under the age of thirty and/or 
women representing racial, ethnic and sexual minorities."

     The Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism (SCDME) stands 
ready to carry out this responsibility. However, the Chancellor to the Presiding 
Bishop has ruled that, in its present form, the resolution cannot be implemented 
according to the canons governing Standing Commissions. Some alternative means of 
meeting the goals it sets forth had to be found.

     So in conjunction with the Presiding Officers, we are establishing a 20/20 
Strategy Group that effectively embodies the spirit and intent of the Executive 
Council resolution. This 13-member Strategy Group, which will report to SCDME, 
will be composed of members of SCDME, Executive Council, the original 20/20 Task 
Force, and other members appointed at large. It will be chaired by Sarah E. 
Lawton of the Diocese of California, who also serves as Vice-Chair of SCDME. The 
task of the 20/20 Strategy Group will be to implement the charge delivered by 
Executive Council in its resolution, including:

     Gathering information and resources related to this Church's participation 
in the 20/20 movement

     Considering the best means of accomplishing the vision set forth in the 
20/20 Task Force Report

     Inviting all this Church's interim bodies and standing committees and 
commissions and the Church Center staff to consider their roles in relation to 
the 20/20 initiative and asking them to review their roles annually   

     Helping this Church expand our understanding of mission and evangelism to 
include social justice and work with marginalized persons and populations, and

     Reporting to each meeting of the Executive Council and to the General 
Convention.

     The Strategy Group will be assisted by Planning Teams to focus on the 
following strategic areas:

     New congregation development

     Revitalization of existing congregations

     20/20 leaders

     General Convention 2003

     Funding

     Research

     Spirituality, prayer and worship

     Next generations

     Communication

     Three framing questions will guide the 20/20 Strategy Group and Planning 
Teams: How can the Episcopal Church more effectively carry out the work of 
mission and evangelism? How can we accomplish this task in the context of an 
increasingly multiracial and multicultural society? How can we best recruit and 
develop leaders for the Church?

     The 20/20 Strategy Group and Planning Teams, totaling about 65 members, will 
be appointed immediately and will meet together with SCDME in early 2002. The 
expanded leadership base for 20/20 will bring new voices to the table and allow 
the diversity of the Church to be more fully represented than is possible with a 
smaller group or commission.

     The 20/20 Task Force has identified the mission energy moving through the 
Church. The 20/20 movement is being shaped by the Church in all its rich 
diversity. The 20/20 movement is invitational, open to all and engaging every 
part of the Episcopal Church as we move forward together in mission "to restore 
all things to unity with God and each other in Christ."

     The Rev. John A. M. Guernsey
     Chair, Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism
     jguernsey@allsaintsdalecity.org   703-670-0093 ext. 7#

     Ms. Sarah E. Lawton
     Vice-Chair, Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism
     Chair, 20/20 Strategy Group
     sarah@share-elsalvador.org   415-647-8805