wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Work group releases mission-funding 'sketch'

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8877 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05453
Sept. 1, 2005

Task force releases mission-funding 'sketch'

Group seeks broad input, hopes whole church will take 'ownership' of plan

by Toya Richards Hill

LOUISVILLE - The Mission Funding Task Force of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) released a draft version of a planned new funding system for the
denomination on Wednesday - but stressed that it's only a "sketch" to be
revised on the basis of input from the church.

	It's important "that the whole church take ownership" of the plan,
said Reginald S. "Reg" Kuhn, a task force member and chair of the design
subcommittee. "We don't want to be perceived as saying, 'This is the plan.'"

	The document was released during a joint meeting of the Mission
Funding Task Force (MFTF), the Governance Task Force and the Mission Work
Plan Team - all are under the auspices of the General Assembly Council (GAC).
All three groups were meeting individually Tuesday through Thursday. 

	The MFTF's proposal would reconfigure how money flows into the
PC(USA) for mission and administration, based on relationships among
sessions, presbyteries and the General Assembly.

	The three key components are: 

	* Sustaining relationship funding - Money for core ecclesiastical
functions, such as the office of the stated clerk, judicial and
constitutional services, and governing body relationships

	* Presbyterian connectional funding - Funds for a variety of core
mission purposes, such as evangelism and witness, justice and compassion,
stewardship and mission interpretation

	* Diversified funding - Money for specific mission endeavors,
including special offerings, validated ministries and designated and
restricted giving

	Money now comes into the denomination mostly in per-capita payments
(annual amounts paid by congregations on the basis of church membership);
funds earmarked for or restricted to specific uses; and "unrestricted" money
the denomination can use for any provident purpose.

	The current system has caused tension because about two-thirds of
mission funds are restricted to specific uses. Under the proposed new system,
all three funding components are "interdependent, and they all have value,"
and the church would "look at them as all important to the life of the
church," Kuhn said.

	The task force, whose chair is Conrad M. Rocha, said it will seek
input on the "sketch" and on the PC(USA)'s overall mission-funding system
from throughout the church, including synod and presbytery executives
scheduled to meet in Dallas in December.

	"We want input," said task force member Carol G. Hylkema. "We want
this to be a two-way conversation."

	The task force also recommended creation of a new position - mission
advocate - to be staffed at the presbytery level and paid for by the
presbyteries and the GAC. The advocate's duties would include motivating
churches and individuals to get involved in mission, as well as facilitating
mission networks across the country.

	The task force also proposed creation of a new Center for Mission
Funding and Communication in the office of the GAC executive director.

	The center would take on such tasks as creating communication
networks and resources related to mission funding; coordinating
mission-interpretation and stewardship services for congregations and
presbyteries; and promoting a "Season of Giving" within the PC(USA) and
promoting it through all the governing bodies of the church.

	At times, Rocha said, the effort to produce this plan "has really
felt hopeless - but as we work through this, we are living into hope."

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